Surat: The massive fire at the Khajod waste disposal site was so intense that it was detected by satellites, underscoring the scale of the incident. Satellite imagery captured strong heat signatures and dense smoke during the blaze, including the flare-up reported on Saturday.While the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) claimed on Friday that the fire had been brought under control after three days of operations, satellite data indicated otherwise. Heat and smoke were consistently detected from March 24 to March 26, with no activity before or after. However, fresh heat signatures on Saturday confirmed that the fire had reignited. Ground images from the site also showed thick smoke and active burning across large waste mounds.On Saturday morning, residents in the southern parts of the city reported smog-like conditions and a strong stench. Many cut short their morning walks, while videos of the haze circulated widely on social media.“It is unfortunate that we have to live in such conditions. I could smell burning waste nearly seven kilometres away at Anu Vrat Dwar. Authorities must act to prevent such incidents,” said Karmavir Bhatt, a cycling enthusiast.Bhatar resident Darshan Desai reported heavy smog along Udhna-Magdalla Road, calling it a serious health concern. “It can severely affect people with pre-existing conditions,” he said.The fire, which broke out in the early hours of March 24, spread rapidly, generating massive smoke clouds and triggering public concern. Firefighting operations continued for three days, with authorities deploying heavy machinery, 125 truckloads of soil, and 22 lakh litres of water.According to SMC estimates, the blaze spread over nearly two kilometres and proved difficult to control due to uneven, waste-laden terrain that restricted vehicle movement.To contain the fire, authorities used 15 hydraulic excavators and backhoe loaders to cover burning waste mounds with soil. Around 50 fire personnel, supported by 10 fire engines and water bowsers, were deployed continuously to douse the flames and curb smoke emissions.
