1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency response to Fire

1.1.2 Site Description

 The landfill operated from 1975 to 1989 and accepted unauthorized hazardous waste including volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos and pesticides, in addition to household waste

1.1.2.1 Location

 Gary Development Landfill (NPL Site) located at  479 N. Cline Ave. Gary, IN 46406.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Track maintenance being conducted by Canadian National RR along the east perimeter of the landfill started an uncontrolled fire which spread to the Gary Development Landfill (NPL Site)

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

 The fire appeared to be a surface burn of all dry vegetation and grass, mature trees onsite were not impacted.  The fire did impact several abandon structures at the southeast corner of the site, and part of the neighboring metal scrap yard adjacent to the west perimeter.  Random tires and rail ties were involved in the fire.

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

 The Gary Fire Department responded to the fire and concentrated their efforts on the west perimeter structures and did not attempt to fight the grass fire.  The Fire Dept. left the site after controlling the major structure fires, and left minor areas smoldering at the scrap yard debris piles, and random tires still burning.

Upon arrival there was no active fire on the landfill, the entire grass cover of the site had been burned.  The remaining fire area was along the west perimeter.  After the Fire Dept. departed we inspected the area in the southwest corner and walked up on the landfill.  There was no active fire although one gas vent was now flaring after being ignited by the grass fire.  Air monitoring indicated no elevated readings.   The report of a railcar burning, was a hopper/box car that contained rail ties.  Several areas were still smoldering/burning but were outside the boundary of the landfill.  The remedial contractor conducting the RI/FS for EPA is scheduled to be onsite Friday and can likely conduct a more thorough inspection of the landfill.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

No enforcement action anticipated.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics     NA

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Site is on the NPL going through an RI/FS .  RP contractors will be onsite to further investigate impacts from fire.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

No planned response actions

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

 None

2.2.2 Issues

None

2.5.1 Safety Officer

NA

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

NA

2.5.3 Information Officer

NA

3.1 Unified Command

 NA

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Gary Fire Department

EPA - 1

START - 3

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

NA

6.2 Reporting Schedule

No additional reports