Workers backed by 20 fire engines and some backhoes were trying to extinguish the blaze in Ban Kham Bon of Tambon Non Ton.

The Nakhon Khon Kaen Municipality set up a coordination centre to direct the fire-fighting operation at the site, which reportedly held 800,000 tonnes of garbage.

Ban Kham Bon residents complained of eye and nose irritation.

Health officials examined them and provided them with facemasks and saline water to wash out their eyes.

Atthaya Larpmak, director of Khon Kaen Airport, said some of the smoke had reached the facility but did not interfere with take-offs and landings.

He expressed confidence that the municipality would control the situation soon.