Fire risk prompts possible firefighter deployment at Vilnius waste sorting plant

The Lithuanian Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) may station firefighters at a waste sorting plant in Vilnius due to an elevated fire risk, director Renatas Požėla told journalists on Thursday, as reported by BNS.

Požėla noted that dry weather conditions increase the likelihood of fires, referencing past incidents at the facility operated by Energesman. In 2025, a fire broke out at the plant, and Lithuania saw around 20 fires at various waste sorting sites during spring and early summer.

An unplanned inspection on July 8 revealed serious fire safety violations at the Vilnius plant. Energesman has been ordered to rectify them by August 13. If the issues persist, PAGD reserves the right to suspend the facility’s operations, Požėla warned.

He added that the situation at the plant continues to deteriorate, and authorities may take further action if no improvements are made. Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas has previously stated that the operator’s failure to manage waste properly has triggered a regional crisis, emphasizing the need for preventive measures to avoid another fire.

The Vilnius Regional Waste Management Center (VAATC) has filed a lawsuit to compel Energesman to transfer control of the plant. Meanwhile, temporary waste management agreements have been reached with private companies Ekonovus and Ecoservice.

National Crisis Management Center head Vilmantas Vitkauskas has indicated that a state-level emergency could be declared over the waste crisis in the Vilnius region as early as next week. The region produces 220,000 tons of mixed municipal waste annually.