LATEST UPDATES ON THE
Moody Fire
About Us
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has created Moody Fire Update to inform the public of ongoing efforts to extinguish the fire at the Environmental Landfill LLC vegetative waste disposal site near Moody.
Updates
State and Local Governments Were Not Equipped for ‘Unprecedented’ Underground Fire
Working Group makes recommendations about resources, responsibilities and authority to improve response for future emergencies MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The working group formed to review the response to the fire at the vegetative waste disposal site near Moody in St. Clair...
Working Group Report
Working Group on the Government Response to the Vegetative Waste Site Fire in St. Clair County SUMMARY FINAL REPORT The working group, formed in March 2023, was created to examine the government response to the fire at the vegetative waste disposal site in St. Clair...
Questions About Insurance Coverage
The Alabama Department of Insurance is advising those impacted by the vegetative waste fire near Moody in St .Clair County who have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage, or want to file a complaint related to the fire or any other insurance concern, to...
New Drone Footage
EPA is wrapping up its work at the former vegetative waste site near Moody. Here’s recent drone video showing the finished site.
April 4, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site was mostly dry with water and mud in drainage areas Activities: Crews dug a drainage ditch on the northeastern slope to address standing water Air monitoring planned for this week is being postponed due to weather More heavy equipment was moved...
March 30, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Most of the site has been seeded and grassed Activities: Closed out borrow pit Continued to seed and grass EPA and contractor continued to demobilize Most of the heavy equipment will be removed from the site next week A water truck will be left...
Public Invited to Submit Comments to Working Group
The working group of leaders formed to review the response to the fire at the vegetative waste disposal site near Moody is accepting comments from the public. Comments can be emailed to moodyworkgroup@adem.alabama.gov. The email address can also be accessed through...
March 29, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site dry, with some mud and water in drainage areas. Activities: More trees removed Water applied to cracks in the southern section where clay was added the previous day Seed and straw placed in additional areas
March 28, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Odor detected at the top of the hill in the southern section Activities: Workers placed dirt and clay on areas in the southern section to fill cracks and address odor Seed and straw placed on the northwestern slopes Tree service removed trees Grass...
March 24 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke is observable Odor is only present near the northwestern portion of the site Activities: Workers continue to lay seed, hay mats, rip-rap and fertilizer around the northwestern portions of the site Slight grading may be necessary, but no...
March 23, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Odor is only present at the entrance and southern portions of the site Most of the site is now covered with hay and has been seeded Activities: Workers will to continue to lay hay and seed the northwestern slope Tree service crew plans to be on site...
March 22, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Mostly dry, with mud in some areas Activities: Workers put straw on the top of the hill on the northern section, and seeded and fertilized the section They plan to seed the northwestern slope and put straw on that as well
March 21, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke was observed on the southern section, and odor was prevalent throughout the site Grass is growing throughout the southern section Activities: Grading and compacting continued on the northern section, and some hay mats had been installed The...
March 20, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke cannot be observed on the site Odor can be detected throughout the site, more noticeable near the entrance Activities: Over the weekend, the majority of the northern area, Section B, was seeded; expected to begin spreading hay in the area on...
March 16, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke detected on site Odor detected throughout the site Activities: Material is being moved from the northern area, Section B, to the middle of the site The majority of the southern section, Section A, has been covered with hay and grass seed, and...
March 15, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke was observed Odor was still prevalent on the southern section Activities: Crews conditioned moving fill material from the southern section to the northern section, and grading and compacting there Heavy equipment will remain in use onsite...
March 14, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke was observed today Odor prevalent only on the southern section of the site Activities: Work continues on moving fill material to the northern section of the site and grading and compacting the area Capping the site could be completed around...
March 13, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site is wet with mud in various locations Smoke has not been observed Odor is present Activities: EPA continues to monitor progress being made at the site The contractor is hauling loads of soil materials staged within the site to grade areas being...
March 9, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Steady rain today; site is muddy No smoke observed, no odor present Activities: Dirt being hauled from the site’s southern portion, near the roadway, to the northern portion to be graded More loads of riprap has been hauled on-site to be placed around...
March 8, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke observed on the site Odor can be detected at the top of the hill on the southern section of the site Activities: Excavated area at the top of the hill on the southern section has been backfilled Grading and BMP installation and maintenance...
Moody Fire Facts
Facts About Moody Fire
- The fire at the privately owned vegetative disposal site in Moody began on or about Nov. 25, 2022. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
- The owner/operator of the private disposal site is the party responsible for extinguishing the fire. However, the owner was either unable or unwilling to fulfill this responsibility.
- Moody Fire Department provided early response to the fire and Alabama Forestry Commission established fire breaks around the site. These response efforts were unsuccessful in fully extinguishing the fire.
- Therefore, ADEM has been working with local, state and federal agencies since the fire was first reported in support of the efforts to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.
- As a result, ADEM was able to request that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dispatch advanced mobile air monitors to the site since Alabama, like most states, does not have such a system of its own. EPA granted the request and performed air monitoring at several locations.
Monitoring the Air
- This air monitoring showed contaminates consistent with a wood fire, including benzene (common in wood fires) at a home closest to the site and Trichloroethylene on the disposal site itself. Because of these readings, ADEM was able to request that EPA engage its response contractor to extinguish the fire.
- EPA agreed to ADEM’s request, and efforts to extinguish the fire are under way at the site and will continue until the fire is out.
- ADEM is providing regular updates to the public on the status of firefighting efforts.
- To see the latest air monitoring test results and other EPA information, click here.
Vegetative Matter Not Regulated
- The privately owned site operated as a disposal site for vegetative matter, such as leaves, limbs, trees, shrubs and similar materials. Because these are natural materials, ADEM does not regulate them.
ADEM Inspections
- On several occasions, complaints from citizens about the presence of regulated waste (such as tires, shingles, rubbish, construction and demolition wastes, etc.) at the site were received and investigated by ADEM. The presence of incidental regulated waste found during ADEM inspections was addressed by the owner/operator of the private site and confirmed by follow up ADEM inspections.
- ADEM does not perform fire safety inspections or firefighting activities, but note potential fire hazards as a part of prioritizing cleanup of regulated materials at unauthorized dumps.
Water Quality Monitoring
- In addition to EPA’s air quality monitoring, ADEM is conducting instream water quality sampling at several locations in the area. Testing results to date show no indications of significant impact to water quality. ADEM will continue to conduct water quality testing and provide regular updates.
- Click here to view water testing results.
What’s Next?
- ADEM will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal authorities as long as necessary. Our main priority at this time is getting the fire extinguished. Once the fire is extinguished, ADEM will take appropriate enforcement action.
What Residents Can Do
- To avoid or limit possible effects from the smoke, residents may consider taking the following steps:
- Limit outdoor activities.
- Install high-efficiency filters in heating and air conditioning systems.
- Seal areas where outside air may enter the home with caulking or other material.
- Consider obtaining a personal air quality monitor and adjust your activities to limit exposure to poor air quality. (https://www.epa.gov/air–sensor–toolbox)
- Because the smoke may continue for an extended period, those with breathing-related health conditions may consider temporarily relocating.
- Contact health officials or a personal physician for other smoke-related health information.
Contact
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Stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments regarding the Moody Fire with our reliable source of information.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has created Moody Fire Update to inform the public of ongoing efforts to extinguish the fire at the Environmental Landfill LLC vegetative waste disposal site near Moody.
MOODY FIRE UPDATE
