Cancún landfill fire controlled after 2-day battle

Cancún, Quintana Roo — After more than 48 hours of uninterrupted efforts by firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, and workers from the company Siresol, the fire at Cancún’s former landfill—located in the Rancho Viejo area of Region 241—was finally brought under control by midday Monday.

The blaze, which consumed over one hectare of waste, produced a thick black cloud visible from several kilometers away, alarming residents of this densely populated area.

Firefighting Efforts Required 260,000 Liters of Water

Aquileo Cervantes Álvarez, director of the local fire department, reported that extinguishing the fire required at least 260,000 liters of water, delivered through dozens of discharges from both municipal and private water trucks.

Although the site has not received new waste for years, it still contains millions of tons of accumulated debris, including plastics, dry vegetation, appliances, and tires. While the flames did not reach the area with the highest concentration of tires—which could have worsened the situation—these highly flammable and toxic materials remain a significant risk when left uncontrolled.

Residents Highlight Environmental and Health Hazards

The incident underscored the latent dangers of maintaining inactive open-air dumps, according to César Cervantes, a local resident. He noted that fires in such areas are not only difficult to extinguish due to the variety of materials involved but also pose severe consequences for public health and the environment.

“Burning plastics and tires releases highly polluting substances into the air, such as dioxins and furans, which directly affect the respiratory system and can have long-term cumulative effects,” said Roberta Ciau, a resident of Region 241.

Biologist Calls for Stronger Waste Management Policies

Alejandro Robles, a biologist, emphasized that this incident highlights the need for more effective environmental policies regarding solid waste management.

“The historical accumulation of trash, without proper treatment or containment, represents a ticking time bomb for cities like Cancún, where urban growth has reached these forgotten areas—many of which have been in irregular conditions for years,” Robles said.

He added that beyond immediate environmental damage, inactive landfills without mitigation measures hinder any real urban sustainability strategy.

“Although the fire has been put out, the underlying problem remains unresolved,” Robles concluded.

Residents and officials continue to warn about the risks posed by illegal dumping and inadequate waste management practices in Quintana Roo.