1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

1.1.2 Site Description
The property is a former knitting mill constructed in the 1960s.  The property consists of approximately 28 acres. The New River Tire & Recycling facility accepts whole tires and processes them through a mechanical shredder. The final product consists of rubber (2 x 2 inches) or smaller in size and stockpiled in the warehouse until sold and tranported off-site. The site is permitted to store 130,000 tires. The storm drains on-site discharge to a unnamed tributary to Toms Creek. The Pilot Mountain Public Water Intake is located approximately 1 mile downstream from the Site on Toms Creek. The Site is located in a mixed commercial / residential neighborhood.

1.1.2.1 Location
312 E Hwy 52 Bypass

Pilot Mountain, Surry County, NC

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Run-off from the tire fire impacting surface waters in the unnamed tributary to Toms Creek, threatening a pubic drinking water intake approximately 1 mile downstream.

Emissions from the burning tires potentially containing contaminants (various hazardous substances) associated with burning tires affecting neighboring residents and businesses. A Elementary School located within two blocks and a High School located within 1/2 mile of the Site.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Warehouse containing tires was fully engulfed, large amounts of smoke, and a discolored discharge at the stormwater outfall.

In the early hours of 1/12/2016, a tire recycling facility (New River Tire & Recycling) in Pilot Mountain NC became engulfed in flames. Local responders notified the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (NCEOC) and the National Response Center (NRC) to request EPA assistance. EPA mobilized a On-Scene Coordinator to assist.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

EPA advised against the use of water for fire suppression. Ongoing communication with state (NC Department of Environmental Quality, NC Department of Health and Human Services) local response agencies (County Health Department, School Superintendent, Public Utilities Director)  to ensure that the public's concerns are addressed.
1/12/2016- Mobilized START contractors to conduct initial air monitoring for VOCs and collect surface water samples. Mobilized ERRS contractors and staged heavy equipment on site.

1/13/2016- START conducted particulate air monitoring and collected air samples for laboratory analysis of asbestos content.  START collected surface water samples downstream of the Site.  Mobilized ERRS contractors to use heavy equipment to remove roof and other debris to access burning tires. ERRS will use heavy equipment and "dunk tanks" to submerge an extinguish burning debris to reduce air emissions and run-off.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Issued CERCLA Letter of Federal Interest (NOFI) to property owner.

Obtained Access Authorization from property owner.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continue to coordinate with state and local response agencies.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Air Monitoring/Sampling

Surface Water Sampling

Access burning tires - utilize "dunk tanks" to submerge and extinguish burning tires to minimize run-off

Segregate Waste

Characterize Waste for Proper Transport and Disposal

Transport and Disposal

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues