Krasta landfill fires leave Pchinja valley breathing smoke for over six months
Residents from seven villages say smoke from recurring landfill fires has polluted the valley for more than six months and demand immediate intervention.
A persistent series of fires at the Krasta landfill — where waste from Kumanovo is taken — has left the Pchinja valley and nearby settlements breathing smoke for more than six months, residents say. They have renewed calls for municipal and state authorities to step in, saying the pollution threatens their health and basic human rights to clean air and water.
Locals report that the polluted air affects seven villages and more than 5,000 people across the valley. Smoke has been detectable along a roughly 30-kilometre stretch, reaching as far as Katlanovo, they say, and many who work outdoors are inhaling toxic fumes for hours each day.
Residents demand immediate action
"The valley of the village Pchinja has for more than 6 months been wrapped in poisonous smoke and residents cannot open a window in the summer months. Here gravitate 7 villages with over 5,000 residents, the smoke is felt over a distance of 30 kilometres, even to Katlanovo. We work in agriculture and every day for more than 10 hours we are in the fields and we inhale the toxic smoke. Pollution is already taking a toll on health; we have increasing numbers of people with pulmonary diseases, and I won't even mention the polluted water. If this problem is not solved within one year we will have to emigrate from here, because it is unbearable. We appeal to the competent authorities to take the problem seriously, not to evade responsibility. The state must hear our appeal and solve the problem," said Aleksandar Ilievski, president of the Pchinja Local Community.
Residents say they have repeatedly reported the fires and the effects of smoke to both municipal and national institutions but see little long-term improvement. They warn that continued exposure will deepen health problems and could force families to abandon their homes if decisive measures are not taken.
Local activists and community representatives are calling for emergency extinguishing of active fires at the landfill, stricter controls on waste handling at Krasta, regular air-quality monitoring across the valley and immediate health checks for residents most affected by the pollution.
Photo: SDK.MK)
