MANILA, Philippines — Authorities yesterday declared the fire that struck a 41-hectare sanitary landfill in Navotas under control, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Classified as “rubbish fire,” the blaze that started on Friday night continued to emit thick smoke that posed challenges to firefighters and air quality issues to nearby communities. The BFP said it encountered difficulty in extinguishing the fire since the landfill is located on an island about 2.6 kilometers from the Navotas mainland. Based on DENR monitoring, air quality index in Navotas and Malabon reached 90 micrograms per normal cubic meter and 76.55 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, on Saturday. Suspension of outdoor activities and classes in areas where smoke or odors are prevalent are recommended by the agency.

Source: Philippine Star April 12, 2026 16:14 UTC