A garbage fire broke out at the Aksai quarry in the Karasai district of Almaty region. The fire was contained, with no threat of spreading to neighboring areas, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The incident occurred on August 3 in the Aksai Gorge. Firefighting efforts were complicated by a steep, inaccessible slope, difficult access for equipment, and strong wind gusts that contributed to the spread of smoldering.
"Work is ongoing at the scene to reclaim the land, cover the area with soil, and extinguish the fire sources," the Ministry of Emergency Situations said.
On social media, Almaty residents also reported a smell of burning in the city and linked it to the fire at the quarry. No official data on the spread of smoke or harmful emissions toward the metropolis was provided in the ministry's statement.
The situation remains under the control of the department.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that a fire at a solid waste landfill in the Baikonyr district of Astana could not be extinguished for several days. Work was carried out around the clock, involving about 120 people and 150 pieces of equipment, and nearly 14.9 thousand tons of inert material were brought to the site. The fire was later fully extinguished.
Aftermath and Preventive Measures
To prevent further incidents, the Ministry of Emergency Situations is taking special measures. Currently, firefighting operations are ongoing, and local authorities are reminding residents to follow fire safety rules.
Public Reaction
Almaty residents are expressing concern about air quality on social media. Some users advise closing windows, while others urge waiting for official information.
Conclusion
The fire at the Aksai quarry has been contained, and there is no threat to the population. The situation is under control, with extinguishing and reclamation work continuing.