The fire at the landfill in St. Clair County that has been burning since November may be out in a “matter of weeks,” according to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
ADEM Director Lance LeFleur released a statement Friday with an update on the fire that was originally reported Nov. 25.
Last month, officials said the inferno is burning around 25 to 50 acres and in certain places more than 100 feet below the surface.
“First, I want to express our sincere empathy and concern for those who have had their lives upended by the fire at the vegetative waste disposal site near Moody,” he said. “We know many have been affected by smoke.
“Some have had to temporarily move to avoid exposure. We have heard people’s frustrations – and we share them.”
LeFleur said the Environmental Protection Agency began work to put out the fire Jan. 19. The EPA was called in because the state and local agencies did not have the resources to fight a fire of this nature.
“Work is proceeding well,” he said. “Smoke from the fire has been greatly reduced.
“EPA expects the fire to be out in a matter of weeks, if not sooner.”
LeFleur said EPA air monitoring tests found the presence of four chemicals above the accepted minimal risk level on the fire site itself and two of the chemicals above the accepted minimal risk level offsite at a single home about 300 feet from the fire.
However, he said, “Test results show the fire does not appear to be having any discernable effect on water quality. We will continue to monitor water quality and report our findings along with air monitoring results.”
Calling the fire an extraordinary event, he said it exposed shortcomings in the ability and authority of state and local governments to respond to situations that are outside the scope of regulated activities but, nonetheless, pose risks to the public.
“We are in talks with representatives of county governments and other agencies about ways to close these gaps,” LaFleur said. “Our goal, as always, is to protect the health and safety of our citizens and the environment, and to make sure we have the tools and authority to do so.
“We must work together and do all we can to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.”
LaFleur said ADEM will investigate the cause of the fire “and take appropriate enforcement action against the site operator after the fire is out.”
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.