Praia Battles Toxic Landfill Fires on Santiago Island
Praia City Council is resorting to dumping tons of soil at the Santiago Island sanitary landfill in a desperate bid to “smother” persistent fires caused by decomposing waste. The move follows a new wave of complaints from local residents who say the resulting smoke is becoming a public health crisis.
Natural Decomposition or Sabotage?
The most recent blaze erupted on Sunday, sending thick plumes of smoke over nearby communities. City officials maintain the fires are not acts of arson but are the result of natural chemical processes.
“It is not arson; it is something that happens with waste,” explained Isaias Borges, a technician for the Praia City Council, in an interview with Televisão de Cabo Verde (TCV). He noted that the natural release of flammable gases, combined with persistent winds, creates a volatile environment. However, the municipality has also noted suspicious activity; in a previous statement, officials revealed that a drainage system designed to remove flammable liquids has been “frequently found closed, for reasons still unknown.”
A “Suffocating” Reality for Residents
For those living in São Francisco, Portete, and surrounding areas, the fires are a recurring nightmare. Residents report that the problem has persisted for at least three years, causing chronic respiratory irritation. The smoke often lingers for several days, blanketing homes and schools.
In June, the Association for the Development of São Francisco labeled the situation “unsustainable” and “incomprehensible,” pointing out the severe risks posed to children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The landfill currently serves eight of the island\’s nine municipalities, excluding only Tarrafal.
Seeking a Permanent Solution
While heavy machinery is working overtime to bury the flames under layers of earth, Borges admitted that this is a temporary fix. A definitive solution would likely require significant engineering works to install systems for the controlled release of gases and liquids that accumulate deep beneath the waste mountain.
In response to the mounting pressure, the City Council has increased surveillance at the site and authorized a multidisciplinary team to investigate the root cause of the frequent outbreaks. In 2025 alone, at least four major fires were recorded, sparking widespread public outcry across Santiago Island.
Image: Pexels – Collab Media
