On May 26th, 2009 at 00:47 hours, the Hawkins VFD and Hawkins Fire Marshalls Office responded to a tire fire at Foster & Son Scrap Tire Processor in Hawkins, Texas. A stockpile of approximately 100,000 tires burned to create a fire over an area of roughly 300 x 500 feet. The scene of the fire was a 5 acre area where Foster & Son staged an estimated 700,000 tires. The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time of initial action. Initial responders sucessfully contained the fire by moving staged tires to create a 200 foot open area buffer around the burning area.
The NRC activated EPA Region 6 Prevention and Response Branch at 0252 hours on May 26th, 2009. TCEQ, EPA, and the agencies' respective contractors arrived on scene between 0600 1000 hours. The Town of Hawkins issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents. Northwesterly winds at 8-10 mph allowed the smoke plume to rise several hundred feet before breaching the subject property perimeter. The plume was visible from roughly ten miles away between 0600 and 1100 hours. TCEQ, EPA, and Hawkins VFD entered into unified command at 0900.
TCEQ contractors Eagle Environmental and Williams continued to suppress the fire with AFFF (foam) and water. The ER contractors continued firefighting separation tactics throughout the night and early morining (00:00 hours to 07:30 hours). Wind from the north pushed the smoke plume to the south, low across the site, forcing suppression efforts to focus on the northern side of the fire. Supression moved forward successfully until 0430 hours, when a diminishing water supply hampered efforts. Flames and burning slowly increased in previously suppressed areas at the northern side of the fire. Rainfall at 0500 minimally improved conditions.
The Holly Lake Fire Department mobilized additional tanks and pumps which arrived on scene by 0600. Hawkins and Holly Lake Fire Departments enacted their right to pump water from the Sabine River for fire fighting activities. Joint efforts between Eagle, Williams, and the local fire departments enabled water to be pumped from the Sabine River into an accessible portion of Lake Hawkins near CR 2869. Tankers accessed water from a boat ramp on Lake Hawkins for transport to frac tanks and two ponds at the scene of the fire. Fire supression by foam and water, paired with separation techniques, continued into the morning. Wind continued to push the smoke plume in a southerly direction, while precipitation pushed the smoke low to the ground.
By 0745, a reduction in precipitation allowed the smoke plume to rise higher in the sky, enabeling fire fighters to begin suppression efforts at the southern side of the fire.
EPA continued to coordinate with the National Weather Service and the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center to help predict the direction of the plume to enable local officials to make a determination on evacuations, sheltering in place, and and school closings.
Two START contractors continued air monitoring throughout the night and early moring along the perimeter of the evacuation zone at three locations: the EPA, MCP (ICP), and two locations along HWY 80. START continued to provide 24-hour support of response operations and data management.
Hawkins and Holly Lake Fire Departments will continue to work with Eagle and Williams, using foam, water, and separation to suppress the fire. Water will continue to be pumped from the Sabine River into an accessible portion of Lake Hawkins, where a boat ramp can provide tanker truck access. Tankers will deliver water to on site frac tanks.
Fire fighters will make every attempt to reclaim used water in a trench along the southern side of the fire, wind direction permitting.
Continue pumping water from the Sabine River to Lake Hawkins for transport to the fire scene.
Reclaim used water utilizing the trench and berm along the southern side of the site.
Continue supression of fire at northern and southern portions of the fire.
Continue to assess air quality and impact on the surrounding residential area.
Monitor water supply.
Monitor weather and wind conditions.
Continued supression of fire.
|
