The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 1.40 pm on Monday, 28 August, 2023, to reports of a fire at a commercial landfill site in Dunbar. East Operations Control mobilized resources to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a significant area of landfill domestic waste well alight.
Until Tuesday, 29 August, 2023, at 5 pm, SFRS crews supported Valencia Waste Management staff who were using heavy plant machinery and on-site water pumps to extinguish the fire. Following a detailed assessment, SFRS withdrew resources from the scene, however, they remain in regular contact with Valencia and are monitoring the situation closely.
Valencia Waste Management and partner
Station Commander, Rick Stark, who is managing the incident, said “We estimate that as of 9 am today, Thursday, August 31, the fire is now affecting less than 20% of the landfill pile which represents a sizeable improvement. While the fire has generated a blanket of smoke over Dunbar today, largely due to no wind, its size and scale have reduced significantly. Wind speeds are forecast to increase through the day which we hope will improve local conditions."
Rick Stark adds, “We are confident that this fire is well under control but should there be any escalation, SFRS will mobilize resources to the scene. We continue to work with Valencia Waste Management and partner agencies to minimize the disruption to the local community and will continue to provide updates. While smoke continues to be visible, we would ask that residents keep windows and doors closed as a precaution. If traveling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.”