Smoke from Mexican landfill fire affecting South Texans north of border

McALLEN, Texas ( Border Report ) — Heavy smoke from a landfill fire in the border town of Matamoros, Mexico, is affecting residents north of the border in South Texas, officials said Thursday.

Cameron County residents, including the city of Brownsville, are urged to stay indoors and wear masks when outside.

On Thursday, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. issued a warning saying, “Heavy smoke has intermittently been affecting the residents of Cameron County since last night. Reports confirm this is due to a landfill fire in Matamoros currently affecting the state of Tamaulipas and our U.S. border.”

Treviño urges residents to keep their doors and windows closed and said “those who are sensitive to air quality issues or have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, lung disease or related conditions should exercise additional measures of caution.”

KVEO Chief Meteorologist Bryan Hale said 10 to 15 m.p.h. winds coming from the south to southeast brought the smoke into Brownsville on Thursday morning, which was trapped by low-lying clouds.

Mexican newspaper El Mañana reported Thursday that the fire occurred on Tuesday inside the Matamoros landfill and thick smoke and a “strong burning smell” is permeating parts of the border town of Matamoros, and has spread north into Brownsville.

Photos in the newspaper show heavy thick smoke on roadways that residents say has not let up for days.

Officials in Matamoros also are warning residents to remain indoors, wear masks if outside and to keep their doors and windows closed. Special precautions should be taken with children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

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