Municipal Dump burns again spewing toxic smog at Los Zacatitos April 24-25th, 2008

Residents of Los Zacatitos awoke April 25th to the presence of toxic smog covering the area and stretching north-east along the coast. The Palo Escopeta Municipal Dump was on fire again and the offshore winds had deposited the (toxic) smog on the costal communities again! Some residents put on gas masks to do morning chores (photo left), and many residents left the location for the day to avoid poisoning their respiratory systems.

The dump began to burn the evening of April 24th and continued until it was partially contained the following day. According to Peter McGonagle, who had telephoned Miguel Perez of the Sanitation Department and Public Works early on April 25th and wrote:

"I was there for 3 hours today, there was no support from any other (source), dump trucks, tractors or supervision support from anyone. I was there with Miguel Perez and two D6 tractors; when I left at 2 pm the fire was 75 percent contained, so we will still smell smoke tonight (April 25th)...Please advise everyone, there were no fire trucks and this was not a brush fire."

Patricia de la Borbolla allerted the local radio stations about the dump burn and wrote that "Saturday (April 26th) at the Jockey club there will be a practically all day meeting. At 10 a.m is the first talk in english The second talk in english is at 4:30 and there is a dinner in the evening at Raices y Brazos, to raise money for this only non governmental group."

Brenda McGonagle will be at the Jockey Club grounds and Eco Fair to solicit signatures for a petition calling for action from the San Jose del Cabo government authorities.

Familia Crain (Gene and Terri) contacted the press (Sabrina Lear - Destinos) who were sending out a reporter and photographer, and further wrote: "we all know what the smell of burning garbage is...this was/is a fire that is not "brush adjacent to the dump"...I am having a in your face presentation at the "organic market" (Jockey Club grounds) tomorrow, I hope you and your friends can attend..."

Lianne Armitage and Beau Bryant left Zacatitos for San Jose del Cabo with the intention of meeting and protesting to government officials.

Panoramic photos of Municipal Dump burn and smog April 25th by Familia Crain - click thumbnails to enlarge

	From a toxic plume enveloping all vegetation and animals and humans		'Where do you want to go today'?