EPA OSC Huyser and START Tetra Tech arrived on-scene at 1815hrs on 12/1/2009. At that point, the fire had been contained and the dump operator was using heavy equipment (excavator and dozer) at the direction of the local fire department and SCDHEC to separate and smother the fire. The burning surface area had been reduced by approximately 20% from ½-acre. EPA and START set up the Rapid Assessment Tool (RAT) on a 4x4 mule and simultaneously demonstrated to DHEC the function and capabilities of the system. Perimeter monitoring runs were taken at 2000hrs and 2100hrs; results showed elevated particulate concentrations 100’ from the fire at the northeast corner, but particulate readings returned to normal in the northeast corner of a 300’ perimeter run. DHEC and the local FD determined to lift the voluntary evacuation at 2200hrs, at which point the burning surface area of the fire had been reduced by approximately 90% and 2” of rain were forecasted to begin at 0200 on 12/2/2009. EPA, START, and DHEC demobilized at 2215hrs. The RAT succeeded both in providing useful data to the response and demonstrating a cost-effective capability that DHEC can utilize; EPA and DHEC will schedule a training session to implement it.
