Methane Blamed for Smoke Over Strumica: Utility Company Announces Video Surveillance at Landfill

A Long-Standing Management Problem

After several days filled with thick smoke that made breathing difficult for residents in the Strumica region, the public utility company "Komunalec" has issued an official statement regarding the fire at the landfill in the village of Dobroshinci. According to their initial assessments, the fire was most likely caused by the spontaneous combustion of methane, a gas naturally released during the decomposition of organic waste.

The company points out that immediately after the fire broke out, their teams, in coordination with the firefighting services, intervened on the ground using their own machinery to bring the situation under control. However, they admit that the incident is merely a symptom of a much larger problem.

"The condition of the landfill is the result of long-standing challenges in its management and equipment, which require a systemic solution," emphasize representatives from "Komunalec".

New Measures to Prevent Future Incidents

To avoid similar environmental disasters in the future, the authorities are announcing a series of concrete steps. There are plans to hire additional machinery to fully remediate the landfill, as well as to install a video surveillance system that will allow continuous monitoring of the location.

The director of the company, Kire Sindrakovski, publicly acknowledged the poor condition of the landfill via social media, pointing out that it has operated for years without proper supervision and with limited equipment.

"I will not sugarcoat the picture: we inherited the situation as it is, but the responsibility to change it is ours. I promise that the landfill will be managed responsibly – not with words, but with visible measures," Sindrakovski stated, adding that he understands and justifies the citizens' concerns.

Eco-Activists Demand a Permanent Solution

The authorities' reaction was positively evaluated by the civic initiative "Zdrava Kotlina" (Healthy Valley), which has long warned about the dangers of the Shapkar landfill. They welcome the fact that someone from the institutions is finally taking responsibility for the decades-old problem.

However, eco-activists warn that the announced measures may only have a short-term effect. According to them, the real and permanent solution lies in building a modern factory for waste sorting and recycling, following the example of developed European countries like Slovenia and Austria.

"Zdrava Kotlina" appeals to the municipalities of Strumica and Vasilevo to provide maximum support to "Komunalec" in waste management, but also to introduce strict sanctions for anyone who improperly disposes of garbage and further pollutes the environment. They announce that they will closely monitor the fulfillment of the given promises, reminding that the health of the citizens must be a top priority.