The Ministry of Health and Social Development is advising residents that response efforts are continuing to contain a fire at the Virgin Gorda Dumpsite that started around noon on Saturday September 26.

The Department of Waste Management is coordinating the response with the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service and private contractors.

While efforts have been made to smother sections of the fire, it continues to burn and produce significant smoke. Responder teams worked well into the night and a larger coordinated response is expected to resume today to bring the fire under control.

The Virgin Gorda Dumpsite remains closed to the public while response operations are underway. Residents are strongly advised to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel and equipment to operate safely.

Due to the continued presence of smoke, residents in the surrounding areas are advised to remain indoors as much as possible and keep windows and doors closed.

Persons with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, young children, infants and older adults should take additional precautions to limit their exposure to smoke.

Residents should also avoid unnecessary outdoor physical activity while smoke remains in the area. Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, severe coughing, dizziness, nausea or worsening of an existing respiratory or cardiovascular condition should seek medical attention.

The Ministry and its partners will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as response efforts progress.