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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
12/1/2009 |
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Start Date: |
12/1/2009 |
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Demob Date: |
12/1/2009 |
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Completion Date: |
12/1/2009 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Unpermitted landfill fire.
1.1.2 Site Description
On December 1, 2009, SCDHEC informed EPA phone duty of a fire discovered at an unpermitted landfill. Local FD and the RP were on-scene responding to the event, and SCDHEC was on-scene collecting air quality measurements. A mandatory evacuation had been imposed on 4 residences immediately adjacent to the landfill and a voluntary evacuation had been announced to the surrounding neighborhood. Approximately 50 residents in the neighborhood relocated to a temporary Red Cross shelter that was established at the local middle school.
1.1.2.1 Location
The approximate location of the site is 400 yards east of the intersection of Egypt Road (County Road 184) and Line Road in Camden, South Carolina, 29020.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The smoke from a landfill fire fire will contain virtually any compound disposed of in the landfill and may contain all products of thermal decomposition, depending on the efficiencies of combustion and the vagaries of the landfill fire. Usually, the concentrations of any one of these compounds will not be sufficient to cause acute symptoms; however, the combination of so many chemicals at one time may produce an unknown human reaction. Fine particulates in the smoke may play a role in drawing some of these pollutants deeper into the lungs than would normally be expected. Respiratory irritation is likely. A prudent public health assumption is that some individuals exposed to the smoke will have a preexisting respiratory condition (e.g. asthma, emphysema) that increases the probability of acute health impact. (ATSDR Guidelines Appendix B: ATSDR Guidelines for Public Health Actions in Response to Landfill Fires, 2001)
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
N/A
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Firefighting operations originally consisted of water suppression, but lack of water sources caused the local FD Captain to reconsider alternative methods. Runoff from water was determined not to be a concern due to the topography of the landfill, which consisted of a 15-20ft hole in clay soil with no outlet. A viable alternative firefighting method was to smother the debris with soil. With oversight from the FD and SCDHEC, the RP utilized an excavator and bulldozer that were available to reorganize and smother the burning materials.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
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 operation using heavy equipment to reorganize and smother the fire was proving successful. By 1830hrs, SCDHEC noted that 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 was forecasted to begin at 0200 on 12/2/2009. EPA, START, and DHEC demobilized at 2215hrs.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
N/A
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
N/A
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
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2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
N/A
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
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. Data from the RAT runs was transposed into a SCRIBE format and transmitted to SCDHEC for their records. SCDHEC will conduct a follow-up investigation and assessment at the site.
2.2.2 Issues
N/A
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
N/A
2.6 Liaison Officer
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2.7 Information Officer
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2.7.1 Public Information Officer
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2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
N/A
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
N/A
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA and SCDHEC assissting Lee County FD.
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA OSC (1)
START (2)
SCDHEC (4)
RP (2)
Lee County FD (4)
Lee County Sherrif (2)
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5. Definition of Terms
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N/A
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
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6.2 Reporting Schedule
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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N/A
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