Jamaica’s National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has released an updated public advisory addressing the ongoing smoldering event at Cooks Sanitary Landfill, a follow-up to its initial public notice issued one day prior. As of the latest update, the intensity of underground smoldering at the waste site remains at a moderate level, according to on-site monitoring data collected by the authority.
Crews have been working continuously around the clock to contain and extinguish the smoldering, and NSWMA officials report that operational progress is on track to deliver measurable improvements. Based on current response efforts, the agency projects that smoldering activity will drop significantly by the end of the current week, with the explicit goal of fully extinguishing the event by this weekend.
In the interim, the NSWMA is urging local residents and other community members to remain alert and continue following recommended safety precautions to limit exposure to potential hazards. Smoldering waste produces harmful smoke, fine ash, and airborne particulate matter that can pose respiratory risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The authority outlined four key safety guidelines for the public: First, residents in affected areas should cut back on non-essential outdoor activities to reduce time spent near polluted air. Second, all people should avoid direct prolonged exposure to smoke, ash, and floating debris from the smoldering. Third, children, older adults, and anyone with pre-existing respiratory conditions or sensitivities should remain indoors as much as possible while the smoldering continues. Fourth, drivers passing through nearby areas should exercise extra caution, as drifting smoke can lower road visibility and create dangerous driving conditions.
For any personnel or authorized visitors that must enter the landfill site itself, the NSWMA added additional guidance: all people on-site are required to wear properly fitted protective masks and adhere to all established safety protocols during their time within the facility.
NSWMA says it will maintain continuous round-the-clock monitoring of smoldering conditions at the landfill, and will release additional public updates as new information becomes available or conditions change. The agency closed its advisory by thanking the local public for its ongoing patience, cooperation, and understanding as response crews work to fully resolve the incident.