UPDATE: Phuket Declares Emergency Zone as Landfill Fire Rages

Phuket authorities declared an emergency assistance zone on April 13 as a landfill fire near Saphan Hin continued to burn for a second day, prompting a province-wide halt on solid waste deliveries. The Phuket City Municipality requested all local administrative organizations and private operators to suspend waste transport to the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Center from April 11 to 19, aiming to ease pressure on the embattled site.

Emergency Response Measures and Resource Mobilization

Governor Nirut Phongsitthithavorn, accompanied by senior officials and the Mayor of Phuket City, visited the landfill at 8 p.m. to oversee firefighting operations. The emergency declaration allows rapid deployment of resources and aid for residents exposed to smoke and health risks.

Crews initially contained parts of the blaze, but deep-seated waste layers reignited, officials said. Fire trucks and personnel from multiple municipalities joined under a “friend-help-friend” campaign to reinforce efforts.

Water Supply Challenges and Public Health Safeguards

Delays in water transport led authorities to request long-distance pumping systems for sustained high-volume delivery from nearby sources. Pipeline installation is scheduled overnight, with hourly progress assessments and the goal of full extinguishment before dawn.

Air quality and smoke drift are under close surveillance, and evacuation plans are ready for downwind communities. The provincial multipurpose hall is set as a temporary shelter, and continuous water spraying is expected to last two to five days to suppress smoke. Residents have reported strong odors and smoke affecting daily life, while officials maintain 24-hour operations to contain the fire and minimize health impacts.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/13/update-phuket-declares-emergency-zone-as-landfill-fire-rages/