U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Pine Ridge Reservation Landfill Fire - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VIII
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Removal Action Summary - Progress Report
Pine Ridge Reservation Landfill Fire
A809
Red Shirt, SD
Latitude: 43.4692900 Longitude: -102.8751700
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To:
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Suzy Mesteth, Oglala Sioux Tribe
Hobert Yankton, Oglala Sioux Tribe
Brent Rohlfs, Indian Health Service
Anthony Kathol, Indian Health Service
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From:
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Paul Peronard, EPA OSC
Martin McComb, EPA OSC
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Date:
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6/19/2011
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Reporting Period:
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6/10/2011 to 6/19/2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A809 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
6/19/2011 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
6/12/2011 |
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Start Date: |
6/10/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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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
Other - Landfill Fire
1.1.2 Site Description
At approximately 17:00 on June 9, 2011, EPA Region 8's Emergency Response Program received a referral from EPA personnel working with the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) regarding a landfill fire on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The phone duty EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) contacted the local landfill manager, Tribal representatives and Indian Health Service (IHS) personnel. Reports from the scene, including video and photographs, depicted a large, uncontrolled fire at the landfill’s main repository cell. Local attempts to cover the area with soil were not successful and nearly resulted in a serious situation when an OST bulldozer operator and his equipment began sinking into the smoldering debris. The local fire department responded to the fire but declined to become involved indicating that they did not have the proper equipment to fight the fire. EPA OSC Paul Peronard deployed to the Pine Ridge Landfill Fire Site (Site) on June 12, 2011.
The Site is the sole landfill for the Pine Ridge Reservation and is a Subtitle D solid waste facility. The landfill has been in operation for less than 10 years and accepts waste from 11 transfer stations throughout the reservation. The landfill services approximately 30,000 people including the communities of Pine Ridge and Kyle. Approximately 50 tons of municipal solid waste is deposited at the landfill on a daily basis.
Because there is no alternate facility and storage at the various transfer stations is limited, trash and potentially hazardous solid waste continues to be trucked into the landfill.
1.1.2.1 Location
The landfill is located 13 miles south of Red Shirt along BIA Highway 41 in southwest South Dakota. Approximate GPS coordinates are 43.469 north latitude and -102.875 west longitude.
The property is owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The Federal Indian Health Service (IHS) provides technical support.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Use of the landfill is largely unrestricted. There is no gate and the facility is, for the most part, left unattended. Landfill personnel, workers hauling daily loads, tribal members dropping off garbage, motorists along BIA Highway 41 and frequent scavengers are all at risk of exposure to a noxious plume of gases that is generated by the combustion of hazardous substances in the landfill.
As previously mentioned, there is no other facility capable of handling the reservation’s waste stream, even on a temporary basis. In addition, if the landfill were to be closed because of the fire, household waste would begin to back up throughout the reservation and public health will be impacted.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
During his Preliminary Removal Assessment on June 12, 2011, OSC Peronard confirmed the conditions identified by the landfill operator and IHS. When he arrived on the scene, the fire had progressed to include approximately 70 percent (~7 acres) of the landfill's footprint and a noxious plume had inundated nearby BIA Highway 41. Initial measurements taken on June 13, 2011 indicated decreased levels of oxygen and elevated levels of particulates, VOCs and carbon monoxide. The initial Response Team observed the explosive release of pockets of gas as well as both breached and intact gas canisters. Local contacts indicated that waste is not screened for hazardous materials before it is deposited in the landfill and evidence of hazardous substances (pesticide containers, paint cans, small drums, etc) was visibly evident throughout the extent of the fire.
The landfill operators are subject to limited resources and have been unable to apply consistent cover and compaction. As a result, OSC Peronard determined that the fire could be expected to burn indefinitely with a furnace-like airflow moving through poorly compacted layers of waste and uncovered trash 10-12 feet deep providing fuel.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The Response Actions discussed in this POLREP are based on traditional measures for the suppression of a landfill fire: cover and compaction. Of critical importance is the availability of soil and the use of suitable earth moving equipment (excavators, haul trucks, bulldozers and compactors). Site specific factors influencing these Response Actions include:
- The Site is one-hour from Rapid City, SD which is the nearest town with suitable support services
- The nearest water source is 13 miles away in Red Shirt, SD
- Frequent rain, lack of vegetative cover and the high clay content in the local soils create muddy and slick conditions on Site
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Sunday, June 12, 2011: Preliminary Removal Assessment
OSC Peronard confirmed the conditions identified by the landfill operator and IHS. When he arrived on the scene, the fire had progressed to include approximately 70 percent (~7 acres) of the landfill's footprint and a noxious plume had inundated nearby BIA Highway 41.
Monday, June 13, 2011: Removal Site Inspection
OSC Peronard directed EPA Region 8's Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor to 1) collect monitoring data on the plume and 2) take GPS measurements to map both the landfill and the extent of the burned area. START's initial monitoring measurements indicated decreased levels of oxygen and elevated levels of particulates, VOCs and carbon monoxide. OSC Peronard and START observed the explosive release of pockets of gas in the landfill as well as both breached and intact gas canisters. Local contacts indicated that waste is not screened for hazardous materials before it is deposited in the landfill and evidence of hazardous substances (pesticide containers, paint cans, small drums, etc) was visibly evident throughout the extent of the fire.
Monday, June 13, 2011: Meeting with Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST)
OSC Peronard met with Hobert Yankton, the OST's Director of Solid Waste, to discuss landfill operations and possible response actions.
Monday, June 13, 2011: Meeting with United States Indian Health Service (IHS)
OSC Peronard met with IHS's Anthony Kathol and Brent Rohlfs who helped design and construct the landfill and who continue to provide technical support to the OST regarding landfill operations. OSC Peronard and these officials discussed the design of the existing facility, plans for the future expansion of the landfill into a new cell and the location of borrow pits from which soil could be excavated in an effort to put out the fire.
Monday, June 13, 2011: Removal Scoping Meeting
OSC Peronard met with the assigned Removal Manager (RM) for the Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contract to discuss firefighting operations and response priorities.
Monday, June 13, 2011: Initial ERRS Mobilization
An initial ERRS crew of four personnel arrived on Site in the late afternoon. At this time, equipment also began to arrive on the scene and the ERRS crew started work to stabilize the approach to the fire on the northwest side of the landfill. The ERRS crew also worked to cut a fire line in an attempt to halt the spread of the fire towards the northwest.
Tuesday - Thursday, June 14-16, 2011: Continued Monitoring
START continued to monitor the plume of the fire. These results continued to indicate decreased levels of oxygen and elevated levels of particulates, VOCs and carbon monoxide.
Tuesday - Thursday, June 14-16, 2011: Meeting with Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST)
OSC Peronard met regularly with Hobert Yankton, the OST's Director of Solid Waste, to discuss the status of continuing response actions.
Tuesday - Thursday, June 14-16, 2011: Continued ERRS Mobilization
Addition ERRS personnel, more equipment and supplies continued to arrive on site.
Tuesday - Thursday, June 14-16, 2011: Continued Firefighting Operations
ERRS continued to clear unburned surface debris from the area. A temporary dumping area for incoming waste deliveries was established. An existing stockpile of soil was reopened to generate cover material. Bulldozer operators continued to compact waste material and smother the fire using soil from the stockpile.
Thursday, June 16, 2011: Site Communications Established
EPA Region 8's Mobile Communications Unit arrived on site.
Friday, June 17, 2011: Continued Firefighting Operations
ERRS continued to cover and compact the surface of the landfill. Flames and consistent sources of smoke were extinguished.
Saturday, June 18, 2011: Continued Firefighting Operations
ERRS continued to cover and compact the surface of the landfill. The existing stockpile of cover material neared exhaustion so ERRS began to construct an access road to a new borrow pit. This borrow pit was located on the southwest edge of the existing cell in an area where a future expansion of the landfill is planned.
ERRS began to spread and compact the unburned waste that was cleared from the surface and the new waste that was deposited in the temporary dumping area.
Sunday, June 19, 2011: Continued Firefighting Operations
ERRS continued to cover and compact the surface of the landfill and construct an access road to a new borrow pit.
ERRS continued to spread and compact the waste in the temporary dumping area.
Work was halted at noon due to heavy rain and muddy site conditions.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
- At this time, all surface flames and sources of smoke have been extinguished.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
An access road will be constructed to a new borrow pit that will be established on the southwest edge of the current landfill in an area that has been designated for future expansion.
Burned areas will be compacted and completely covered with soil from the borrow pit to smother the fire.
Unburned solid waste in the existing cell will be spread, covered and compacted in appropriate lifts within the existing landfill cell.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See Section 2.2.1.1.
2.2.2 Issues
None to report.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Not Applicable.
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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
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2.5 Safety Officer
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Not Applicable.
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2.6 Liaison Officer
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2.6 Liaison Officer
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Not Applicable.
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2.7 Information Officer
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2.7 Information Officer
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2.7.1 Public Information Officer
There is currently no media interest in this Site.
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
Not Applicable.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
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Not Applicable.
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3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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3.2 Cooperating and Assisting Agencies
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Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST)
United States Indian Health Service (IHS)
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4. Personnel On Site
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4. Personnel On Site
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Paul Peronard - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) On-Scene-Coordinator
Martin McComb - U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator
Terry Henderson - Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) Contractor, Removal Manager
Vince Parker - ERRS Contractor, Foreman and Equipment Operator
Miguel Lacherre - ERRS Contractor, Field Accountant
Steve Harrington - ERRS Contractor, Equipment Operator
Kory Martin - ERRS Contractor, Equipment Operator
Joseph Cordova - ERRS Contractor, Equipment Operator
Bob Coulter - ERRS Contractor, Equipment Operator
Renny Dutton - ERRS Contractor, Laborer
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5. Definition of Terms
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5. Definition of Terms
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/reports
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http://www.epaosc.org/pineridgefire
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6.2 Reporting Schedule
6.2 Reporting Schedule
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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