US Virgin Islands Fire: Puerto Rico Sends National Guard To Help Fight Massive Landfill Fire

A massive landfill fire is ravaging the US Virgin Islands, and it has gotten so intense that another US Caribbean territory, Puerto Rico, is sending some help in the form of its National Guard.

Puerto Rico deployed its National Guard to help fight the massive landfill fire that started in the US Virgin Islands. The massive fire has been burning for over a week now and has already forced schools to cancel classes and some businesses to close down.

Helicopters are now gathering seawater to help put out the blaze that was started at the Bovoni landfill on the island of St. Thomas. As for the Puerto Rico National Guard, it was reported that it supplied 60,000 gallons (227,000 liters) of water during its mission. So far, the US Virgin Islands National Guard has already dropped more than 11,000 gallons (41,600 liters) of water on the fire, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, US Virgin Islands officials are now warning residents who are living near the affected landfill that there might be some water contamination thanks to all the water that firefighters and the National Guard are pouring into the area.

US Virgin Islands Fire: Governor Declares State of Emergency

As the fire has been burning for quite some time now, US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued an Executive Order that declares a State of Emergency all over the US territory. While the fire is contained only within St, Thomas Island, smoke has been affecting other areas.

According to The St. Thomas Source Virgin Islands, the smoke can be seen and smelled for miles. This resulted in poor air quality throughout the territory and forced schools and businesses to close.

"The fire is not sustainably contained and external assistance is required to extinguish the flames below the surface of the green waste area of the Bovoni landfill, stated Governor Bryan in his Executive Order. Immediate action must be taken to secure the necessary support to extinguish the fire, including coordination of firefighting assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact."

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a law that allows all 50 states and other US territories to send help whenever a governor declares a State of Emergency. Other states can send in personnel, equipment, and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states and territories. So far, only Puerto Rico has answered the call.

When Did the US Virgin Islands Fire Start?

As the fire continues blazing, firefighters and volunteers are continuing their efforts to try and put out the massive US Virgin Islands fire. As this is happening, LOOP Caribbean News reported that citizens have already been advised to minimize their outdoor exposure because of the spoke and to also keep their windows closed,

The fire itself began on September 14 and is continuing to burn. That particular landfill has had a long history of environmental problems and spontaneous blazes are common.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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