THE Lautoka City Council has acknowledged that fires at the Vunato trash site can reoccur.
Council chair of special administrators Taitusi Rasoki told reporters plans were in place to address this issue which would be finalised after consultations with stakeholders.
“The council is seriously looking at placing a ban on waste picking by Collection Pillars of Recycling from the landfill as this practice in recent times has become a challenge for the council,” he said.
“Only authorised personnel and dump users will be permitted access to the dump, and any trespassers will be reported to the police for prosecution.”
Mr Rasoki said controlling the trash site blaze required two water carting trucks operating continuously and refilling from Naikabula, two water pumps deployed to draw water from nearby canals and 12 staff members working on 10–12 hour shifts round-the-clock. He said efforts were now focused on controlling smoke.
“These operations have continued at significant cost to the council. The council shares the community’s frustrations and is investing significant effort and resources to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
“Dry and windy conditions, combined with unauthorised entry into the landfill, continue to pose challenges.
“During low tide, the use of seawater for firefighting is limited. Hence at times the council relies solely on water trucks.”
