A state of emergency continues in Zhytomyr: a large-scale fire broke out at the waste landfill, leading to the cancellation of classes in local schools and a temporary restriction on activities at kindergartens
This information was reported by the Zhytomyr City Council on its official Facebook page, along with data from the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of the region. According to firefighters, the fire at the solid household waste landfill started on May 1 and has since expanded over a significant area. By 23:51 on the same day, the fire was localized, covering approximately 1.3 hectares. Currently, firefighting efforts are underway to fully extinguish the fire and eliminate hotspots. The head of the fire service assured that the spread of the fire to adjacent areas of the landfill has been halted, and there is no immediate threat to the surrounding neighborhoods. Responsible services and environmental experts are conducting daily monitoring of the air quality to assess the level of pollution caused by smoke and harmful substances. Considering the recommendations of environmental specialists, the Zhytomyr city authorities have introduced temporary restrictions in the fields of education and physical activity to ensure residents' safety. According to the decision, all city schools are transitioning to remote learning starting May 2. The official position of the city council also states that kindergartens continue to operate normally; however, all outdoor activities and walks have been temporarily canceled to minimize health risks to children. Additionally, a previously planned sports day and any outdoor training sessions organized by sports schools and clubs have been canceled for the near future. These measures are aimed at preventing the spread of hazardous substances and protecting the health of Zhytomyr residents. It is also important to note that local authorities and environmental control services emphasize the importance of caution and advise residents to avoid areas closest to the landfill until the fire is completely extinguished and the territory is cleaned up. Currently, the situation remains under control, but city officials are monitoring developments and promise to keep the community informed of all updates and recommendations.