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Rising Garbage Fires Put Pune’s Air and Health at Risk

08 Jan 2026

 

Garbage fires in Pune rose sharply in 2025, with fire brigade data showing a jump of over 20 percent compared to the previous year. The city recorded 735 garbage fire incidents in 2025 against 636 cases in 2024, along with a worrying rise in grass fires. Fire officials say improper waste disposal, open dumping near transformers, and negligence remain key reasons. Even though the Pune Municipal Corporation has an established solid waste collection system, residents continue to burn garbage in open spaces, sometimes leading to transformer damage and larger fire risks.

Medical experts warn that smoke from garbage fires releases harmful pollutants such as PM2.5, carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans, which directly affect respiratory and heart health. Doctors note that the problem worsens during winter due to temperature inversion, which traps polluted air close to the ground. This has led to an increase in persistent cough, throat irritation, asthma flare-ups, and breathing issues across several Pune localities, raising serious concerns about public health and environmental safety.

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