Bonaire tackles underground landfill fires to protect residents and environment
Starting March 18, authorities on Bonaire are addressing underground fires at the Lagun landfill, which pose risks to public health and the environment. Residents experiencing smoke or odors are urged to report nuisances immediately.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lagun landfill, Bonaire |
| Duration of Work | March 18, 2026 – March 20, 2026 |
| Working Hours | 08:00 – 15:00 daily |
| Number of Hotspots | 5 sub-areas |
| Primary Organizations | Public Entity Bonaire (OLB), Selibon, Afvalzorg |
| Contact for Nuisance | OLB: +599 777 2243 |
| Monitoring System | Specialized dashboard from Afvalzorg for continuous risk assessment |
The Public Entity Bonaire (OLB) is responsible for waste management and environmental safety on the island. In collaboration with waste disposal experts, the OLB ensures that landfill operations adhere to safety standards and mitigate risks to residents and the environment.
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Work on Lagun: Tackling and monitoring fire hotspots begins
Work will be carried out during the day between 08:00 and 15:00. If you experience any nuisance, such as smoke or odors, you are kindly requested to contact the OLB at +599 777 2243.
Selibon and the Public Entity Bonaire (OLB) will begin combating several underground fires at the Lagun landfill on March 18, 2026. The work will continue until Friday, March 20, 2026, and will be carried out in collaboration with Selibon and waste disposal expert Afvalzorg. Over the past week, Afvalzorg has remapped the locations of the underground fires and developed a plan of action for their suppression.
At the landfill, elevated temperatures have been detected in five sub-areas. These locations may be interconnected, meaning the suppression efforts could take several days. Therefore, a targeted and phased approach has been chosen. The locations posing the greatest risk to people and the environment will be addressed first.
No nuisance is expected for the surrounding area. The work will be conducted in a controlled and safe manner. By opening the terrain at the site of the underground fire, extinguishing it, and then covering it again, efforts will be made to bring the hotspots under control and prevent further spread. Work will be carried out during the day between 08:00 and 15:00, allowing sufficient time to minimize any potential nuisance. During the work, a water truck and sufficient covering materials will always be on-site.
In addition to these efforts, the OLB, in collaboration with Selibon and Afvalzorg, is working on a structural approach to address underground fires. By regularly inspecting the landfill—even when no fire is visible—new hotspots can be detected and addressed earlier. This helps reduce risks to the environment, public health, and employees. To closely monitor the situation, a specialized dashboard from Afvalzorg will be used. This system continuously tracks and assesses hotspots for risk. Based on this information, decisions will be made on where and how to intervene, enabling faster and more effective action.
The OLB understands that this situation may impact local residents. If you experience any nuisance, such as smoke or odors, you are kindly requested to contact the OLB at +599 777 2243.
See also
- Ban on dogs on designated beaches and coastal areas of Bonaire
- Tanki Matrimonio infrastructure project: Improving roads and drainage
- 100% of DTH enforcers complete BAVPOL module and strengthen oversight on Bonaire