Alabama residents in the northwest part of the state have been dealing with an underground landfill fire for weeks now. The fire began at the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill on August 6th and has been spreading ever since. Although the extent of the fire is still unknown, it is burning nearly 20 feet beneath the surface and currently affects two acres of the landfill.
From the beginning, the fire has been a concerning hazard due to its noxious emissions. The smoke spilling out of the landfill is reportedly composed of a mix of toxic materials, including wood waste, formaldehyde, and hydrogen sulfide. Despite the potential danger of breathing in the contaminated air, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) says that its particles are not likely to travel far enough to reach nearby residences.
In addition to its emissions, the blaze has been steadily exacerbating the already unappealing sight of the landfill. Since the fire has burned through much of the plant material in the landfill, there is now an abundance of heat, ash, and a noxious odor enveloping the surrounding area. In turn, this creates an unpleasant environment for people living nearby, prompting them to seal any openings in their homes to prevent the contaminated air from entering.
The origin of the fire is still unknown, although its cause may be attributed to either human error or environmental conditions. Whatever the source, Rumpke Waste and Recycling Services is in charge of managing its effects.
To reclaim the landfill, Rumpke personnel have been spraying the surface with a hose to cool it off and mask the odor. As of now, landfill staff are also building a trench to contain any smoke that is emanating from the buried material. Rumpke aims to keep the fire contained within the property and believes that the trench will have the power to do just that.
No one can quite be sure when the fire might be put out, as the blaze still spreads despite the efforts of personnel. Residents can, however, be sure that Rumpke is doing its utmost to control the situation and make the unpleasant situation a bit more bearable. The company will continue its efforts until the fire is extinguished and the landfill is free of its noxious smoke, enabling both the staff and the community around it to enjoy the fresh air again.
