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
Feb. 14, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site is muddy with little smoke observed in the southern section but more in the northern section, where a majority of work is taking place Activities: Grading and dirt work is taking place today Rip rap is being installed for erosion and...
Feb. 13, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Less smoke was visible where work is being conducted on the northwest end of section B, and little to no smoke along the northwest side of section A Odor can be detected throughout the site, and more noticeable close to where work is being done Wet in...
Feb. 12, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: No smoke observed in Section A and smoke is visible where work is being conducted on the northwest end of Section B Hint of odor at the site Activities: Work is being done on the northern and northwestern slopes of Section B, including grading work...
Feb. 11, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Wet in most areas of the site as it is raining Smoke is visible where work is being conducted on the northwest end of Section B and small, visible spots of smoke along the northwest side of Section A Activities: Work continues to grade the slope...
ADEM Director Lance LeFleur Statement to Environmental Management Commission About Moody Fire
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. We know many have been affected by smoke. Some have had to temporarily move to avoid exposure. We have...
Feb. 10, 2023 Report
Site condition: Smoke can be observed where work is being conducted and a few areas on section B Odor can be detected on site Surface conditions are damp throughout the site Activity: Section B is the focus of work, with grading of this section using available...
Feb. 9, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke is visible in the northwest and north sections Areas with smoke are not overwhelming and remain traversable on foot with one exception in the northwest portion Light odor is present at the site and up to 0.1 mile outside the site perimeter...
Feb. 8, 2023 Report
Site conditions: Less smoke was observed than the day before, and the ground was muddier due to rain Activities: Rip rap and other stone were staged for use A “No Dumping” sign was placed at the site entrance Some 183 truckloads of material were hauled from the...
Feb. 7, 2023 Report
Site conditions: Smoke was observed at the site but it is significantly less than in previous days Activities: Grading and other dirt work is continuing Rip rap and other stones have been brought in for erosion control, primarily on the western slope Approximately 158...
Feb. 6, 2023 Report
Activities: Approximately 60 loads of material from the borrow site were hauled to the site this morning. Work continues on the western slopes of the site
Feb. 5, 2023 Report
Activities: 213 loads of material were brought from the borrow pit off site to be used along the southeastern and southwestern area of section A A road was built along the slope of section A to allow access to the southwestern side The top of section B was partially...
Feb. 4, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Smoke is noticeable where work is being performed and at a few areas along the southern slope. Activities: Grading the northeastern area of the site is continuing Plans are to bring at least 150 loads of material to the site today
Testing Shows No Discernable Impact on Water Quality from Fire
ADEM water testing and EPA air testing results available on website MOODY, Ala. – The results of ongoing water testing indicates the underground fire at the Moody vegetative waste disposal site does not appear to be having any discernable effect at this time on the...
Feb. 3, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Consistent smoke is emanating from the north portion of the site. Activities: Grading and filling operations have been performed at the north and northwest portions of the site. Site is being prepared to receive approximately 150 loads of dirt from...
Feb. 2, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site is muddy due to rain Less smoke observed today than previously Activities: Work continues to grade on the southwest slope of the site and grading and dirt work is occurring on the northeast slope. No loads of dirt were moved yesterday due to...
Feb. 1, 2023 Report
Site Conditions: Site is muddy due to ongoing rain Smoke is less visible than yesterday Activities: 40 loads of material from the borrow pit have been moved to the site. Grading on the southwest slope and more work on the northeast area of the site is continuing...
Jan. 31, 2023
Contractors are continuing to grade the southwest slope of the site, and grading is occurring on the northeast slope. · Regulated solid waste, which consists mostly of dimensional lumber, is being removed and staged in a separate area. Scrap tires are also being...
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
