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
March 7, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site was mostly dry with occasional muddy spots. Faint smoke was observed at the top of the southern hill. Odor was faint, but noticeable throughout the site. Activities: Crews continued to move material from the borrow pit to the site. Compacting...
March 6, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke can be observed Site is dry today Activities: Work resumed today to haul dirt to the back side of the site and to start seeding grass on the slopes and at the entrance EPA plans to maintain air monitoring stations at the site and at the...
ADEM director discusses importance of new working group
Click here to watch Director LeFleur's comments from the press conference on March 3, 2023.
State and Local Leaders Form Working Group to Examine Response to Moody Vegetative Waste Site Fire
Group will recommend whether law changes, additional resources needed MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Leaders of several state and local government agencies and associations have formed a working group to assess whether changes in laws, regulations and resources are needed...
March 2, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke was observed. No odor noticeable. Despite steady rain, the erosion control BMPs appear to be functioning properly. Activities: No work performed on site. EPA says work will be suspended until Monday. Air monitoring will continue until...
March 1, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: The site was drier than yesterday, but still muddy in places. No smoke was observed, but the odor was still prevalent. Activities: More dirt was added at the top of the hill on the southern area, and dirt work continued on the northern area. EPA...
Feb. 28, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Faint smoke observed in one area of the site Odor is prevalent throughout the site Activities: 184 truck loads of material was moved from the borrow pit to the site yesterday with approximately the same amount planned for today Grading and compacting...
Feb. 27, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke is observable Odor still slightly noticeable Erosion controls appear to be effective with minimal erosion observed Activities: Grading and filling operations on the western and northern portions of the site are currently underway Weather...
Feb. 25, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke can be observed in a few areas on the western side of Section B Odor can be detected throughout the site Surface conditions are very damp due to rain Activities: Grading work continues on the western areas of Section A and B, and the northern...
Feb. 24, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Surface conditions are damp with no standing water Smoke barely visible in northwest sections and in localized areas Odor discernible only on-site Activities: Additional cover being applied to localized areas of smoke Continuing with road building...
Feb. 23, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke can be observed in a few areas along the northern slope of Section A but not in other areas Activities: Additional material will be placed in Section A that is smoldering Stone will continue to be placed through the site as a means of erosion...
Feb. 22, 2023 Report
Activities: Stone is being placed around the site to help with erosion and sedimentation control Water is being used in areas where underground heat was detected and the soil is dried and cracked
Feb. 21, 2023 Report
Site conditions: No smoke observed on the site today Odor still present Activities: Maintenance work on equipment being conducted 65 large loads of fill material were moved to the western slope
Feb. 20, 2023 Report
Activities: Grading continues along the western and northwestern areas of the site Loads of materials are being hauled to the site and staged there to do the grading work
Feb. 19, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Very little smoke can can be observed on the north end where work is being conducted Activities: Crews are applying riprap to the northeast portion of the site Work is being done to slope the north and northwest portion of the site Tree debris is...
Feb. 18, 2023 Report
Activities: Crews are working to level and grade fill material in the middle portion of the site Crews are lining the perimeter of the northeast portion of the site with riprap for erosion control and sediment containment Perimeter of the northern portion of the site...
Feb. 17 Drone Footage
Click here to view drone footage of the site.
Feb. 17, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall at the site last night, but erosion controls appear to be effective with minimal erosion observed Amount of smoke today is negligible and odor is noticeable Activities: Maintenance of heavy machinery expected to be...
Feb. 16, 2023 Report
Site conditions: Amount of smoke today is negligible compared to two weeks ago Most of the smoke that is observable is occurring where operations are taking place Associated odor is also less noticeable and detectable mainly in close proximity to where work is being...
Feb. 15, 2023 Report
Conditions: Due to the rain, the site was very muddy Some smoke was observed, more on the northern part of the site Activities: Due to the rain and muddy site conditions, work was hampered Work was expected on the northern part of the site today; too wet to work on...
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
