Kénitra landfill fire exposes mounting pressure on Ouled Berjal waste site

Tuesday 15 September 2026 - 21:05

A fire at the Ouled Berjal landfill in Kénitra has renewed concerns over a waste facility that has been operating for more than three decades and is reportedly nearing or has already reached its maximum capacity.

The blaze, which broke out on September 11, 2026, sent persistent smoke and unpleasant odors across several parts of the city. While authorities have launched a judicial investigation to determine how the fire started, the incident has also revived wider questions about air quality, environmental risks and the future of the landfill.

A landfill under growing strain

The Ouled Berjal site has served Kénitra and surrounding areas for more than 30 years. Despite reportedly reaching its initial capacity, it continues to receive waste, increasing the amount of material accumulated at an already heavily used facility.

Residents began reporting strong odors of burning waste several days before the fire was officially reported. The smell reportedly became particularly intense during the evening in some neighborhoods, with smoke described as persistent and acrid.

The landfill is located along the Sebou River, adding another environmental dimension to the incident.

Air quality and health concerns

Residents have reported symptoms including eye irritation, excessive tearing, throat discomfort and breathing difficulties following exposure to the smoke.

Children, older people and individuals with asthma or allergies are considered particularly vulnerable to smoke from burning waste. However, the precise health impact remains unclear, as no publicly available air-quality analysis has yet established the concentration or toxicity of pollutants released during the incident.

The type of waste involved is also a key concern. If medical, chemical or industrial materials were present among the burning waste, the fire could potentially release hazardous substances. Determining the composition of the smoke will require specialized measurements and environmental assessments.

Concerns extend to the Sebou River

The proximity of the landfill to the Sebou River has heightened concerns about possible environmental consequences.

Authorities may need to assess whether runoff from the site following the fire has affected water quality or ecosystems downstream. The issue is particularly significant because the Sebou flows toward the Mehdia area, making the potential environmental impact broader than the immediate surroundings of the landfill.

Previous episodes involving dark smoke and dust deposits have also reportedly affected parts of Kénitra, adding to concerns about the long-term consequences of operating a heavily used waste facility.

31 vehicles deployed to tackle the fire

The municipality said 31 pieces of equipment were mobilized to respond to the blaze in coordination with provincial authorities.

The company responsible for managing the landfill reportedly provided 16 machines, including bulldozers, excavators, loaders and graders. Provincial authorities mobilized another 15 vehicles and machines, including trucks, tractors and bulldozers.

A judicial investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor is now examining the origin of the fire and the circumstances surrounding its outbreak. Investigators are also expected to determine whether any responsibility may be linked to the monitoring or management of the site.

New waste facility planned

The fire has also intensified calls for a long-term solution to the landfill’s capacity problems.

Kénitra’s municipality says work is progressing on plans for a new waste recovery and landfill center. Technical studies and procedures to acquire the required land are reportedly well advanced.

The proposed facility is intended to gradually replace the existing landfill while improving waste sorting and treatment.

For residents, however, the immediate priorities remain clear: effective management of the current site, reliable information about air quality and a concrete timetable for the new facility. The Ouled Berjal fire has turned those demands into an increasingly urgent environmental and public-policy issue.