Tuesday, March 25, 2025:
EPA Region 7 has posted two new documents that are available on the Documents page:
- A "frequently asked questions" and data review memorandum for the air samples collected during EPA Region 7's support of response efforts at the Critical Mineral Recovery fire; and,
- A new map that shows the locations where air samples were collected, as well as the locations of stationary and roving air monitoring.
EPA's previous operational updates are archived and available on
the Notices
page.
EPA encourages anyone with questions with cleanup efforts after the fire in Fredericktown to contact the Missouri Departnment of Natural Resources (MoDNR) and CMR.
Questions about EPA’s role in the response from Oct. 30 to Nov. 13 - including the new data review memorandum - should be
directed to EPA’s Public Information Officer.
Background:
EPA Region 7's Spill Line received a call from a citizen
living near Fredericktown, Missouri, reporting a fire at the CMR facility on
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. MoDNR was notified of the incident and deployed
two State On-Scene Coordinators (SOSCs) to assist with the response efforts.
EPA Region 7 received an RFA from MoDNR on October 30 to provide air monitoring
support for the incident and deployed a Federal On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) and
response resources to the scene.
The Fredericktown Fire Department issued an evacuation
order and a shelter in-place order for residents north of the nearby
town of Junction City and the surrounding area of Fredericktown.
The 225,000 square-foot CMR facility processing plant
reportedly deenergizes, dismantles, and processes materials associated with
electric vehicles and other, rechargeable batteries for recycling and reuse.
The cause of the fire - as of Nov. 13 - continues to remain unknown.
Incident Objectives:
EPA's incident objectives supporting this response were:
- Ensure the safety of the
community and first responders.
- Continue to provide air
monitoring and sampling support until the fire has been completely
extinguished and the incident has stabilized.
- Provide and/or
facilitate clear, consistent, and accurate information to response
partners and the community in a timely manner.
Coordinating Agencies:
Agencies currently, or previously, involved in the CMR
response include:
- U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7
- Missouri Department of
Natural Resources (MoDNR)
- Missouri Department of
Conservation (MDC)
- Missouri Department of
Health and Senior Services
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service
- Fredericktown Fire
Department
- Fredericktown Police
Department
- Madison County Emergency
Management
- Madison County Health
Department
- Madison County Sheriff's
Department
- Missouri State Highway
Patrol
- Missouri State Emergency Management Agency
