BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — An underground fire is raging in a environmental landfill near Birmingham for nearly a month, blanketing the greater Alabama metropolitan area with smoke.
Now state officials, local fire departments and county commissions are trying to figure out next steps and who will cover the costs associated with extinguishing it, al.com reported.
The fire started about a month ago at the Environmental Landfill, Inc. facility in St. Clair County, near the Birmingham suburbs of Moody and Trussville. James Mulkey, a fire inspector with the Moody’s Fire Department, said the department received its first call about the fire on Nov. 25 around 7:45 a.m.
“The fire spread through the pile of debris, which is very large,” Mulkey said. “The actual size of the debris pile, we’ve heard estimates of 23 to 50 acres, and that’s several layers. In some places this thing is 100 to 150 feet deep. We’re not sure because of how it was done. They would bring stuff, pile dirt on it, then put another layer.
Mulkey said the fire is now almost entirely underground.
“There is very little flame activity above ground,” Mulkey said. “If you see a flame, it comes out of a crevice or crack in the ground and all the smoke comes out of the ground.”
According to an update from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management released Thursday, extinguishing the fire is “critical” but will be difficult due to its location.
“It appears that unauthorized solid (i.e. non-vegetable) waste was removed from the site as a result of an ADEM law enforcement action prior to the fire,” the statement said. update.
The landfill is not regulated by ADEM as it is only supposed to accept “green waste”, storm debris, leaves and branches and plant material. In reality, however, tires and other materials were found at the dump in the midst of the fire.
ADEM’s head of external affairs, Lynn Battle, said the agency was investigating a possible illegal dumping at the site.
“ADEM is aware that there is unauthorized solid waste on this site. ADEM will determine the appropriate enforcement action following the conclusion of its investigation and review of relevant information,” Battle told al.com via email.
Mulkey said he saw tires in the disposal area, but didn’t want to speculate that there was other unauthorized trash in the burning heap. Efforts to contact landfill owners by email and telephone were unsuccessful.
ADEM has warned residents who live near the facility to consider limiting outdoor activities, installing high-efficiency filters in their heating and air conditioning systems, and sealing their homes with caulk or sealant. other materials where outside air can infiltrate.
The department also said that smoke will likely continue to be a problem for some time and that “those with respiratory problems health conditions may consider relocating temporarily.
Fire burns in the unincorporated county of St. Clair. The Moody’s Fire Department responded to the fire first as it was the closest but the area is not under their jurisdiction. He acted with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the St. Clair County Commission to make decisions, but the agencies are looking to take more aggressive action to extinguish the flames.
“All options are on the table,” Mulkey said. “Letting it die out was an option we looked at, but we realized it was a pretty extensive (fire) and we really can’t give a timeline on that.”
There is also the question of who makes the final decision on a course of action and who pays for it.
“It’s the unincorporated county of St. Clair, so the county commission will have a lot to say,” Mulkey said. “As far as regulatory agencies go, and who is ultimately responsible and financially responsible for this thing, that’s always up for debate.”
ADEM is primarily investigating the fire to see if any offenses have occurred that could be prosecuted once the fire is out.
The Jefferson County Health Department, which regulates air pollution in the Birmingham area, said it has received odor complaints, but the issue is outside its jurisdiction.
Michael Hansen, executive director of Birmingham Area Air Quality Group GASP, said the state’s response was insufficient.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that state agencies are not doing more to protect people from this dangerous air pollution event,” Hansen said. “We need a multi-agency state and local response to this situation.”
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