Tortola landfill fires flare again after three-year lull

For more than three weeks, smoke and small fires have plagued the Pockwood Pond landfill on Tortola, reviving a cycle of complaints from residents in neighbouring areas, chiefly the First District.

Daytime smoke plumes and nighttime blazes around the waste site have sparked fresh alarm, though officials have stopped short of calling the situation a major incident. The recurring problem has drawn concern from community members and elected representatives alike.

First District Representative Dr. the Hon. Karl Dawson told Virgin Islands News Online that he grasped the depth of residents' frustration and had taken the issue repeatedly to both the responsible Minister and Waste Management leadership. "I understand and share residents' legitimate concerns about the renewed smoke from Pockwood Pond," Dawson said. He noted that prior efforts had delivered roughly two years without the problem before conditions deteriorated again.

Dawson said he was pushing for a concrete strategy, specific deadlines and swift action to curb emissions. He also disclosed that he had brokered talks with a private party over an alternative fix now being examined. "Residents deserve relief and regular updates, and I will continue advocating firmly on their behalf," he added.

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Vincent O. Wheatley confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online that an underground fire was burning beneath the site. Officials were hunting for expert counsel on tackling the blaze, he said, with the structural integrity of the landfill itself complicating efforts. "Not knowing how long it has been burning and the extent of it makes it a very delicate situation," Wheatley said.

The current outbreak echoes troubles that have dogged the landfill for years. In 2022, the then-Minister for Health and Social Development reported to the House of Assembly that underground heat sources had sparked fires in raw waste stockpiles. The incinerator was also shut down at that time due to fire damage.

Former Waste Management Director Marcus E. Solomon, from Trinidad and Tobago, had managed to resolve the crisis during his time in post, but his contract lapsed without renewal. Whether those gains can hold remains unclear as the smoke returns.