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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 1996
96-142
CONTACT:
Chief Ron Combs, Douglas County F.D. #2; (509) 884-6671
Chrissie Caspar, Ecology; (509) 575-7898
ILLEGAL DUMP FIRE NETS $10,000 PENALTY
YAKIMA - The Department of Ecology, in cooperation with Douglas County Fire District #2, has issued a $10,000 penalty against Eddie Smith for burning an illegal dump in a canyon near Rock Island. The dump burned for at least two days, and hot spots continued to smolder for months.
The fire was set March 28, 1996, within a mile of a school and the town of Rock Island. Fire District #2 received calls from area residents concerned about the thick, towering plume of black smoke. When the firemen arrived at the scene they couldn't get the fire truck close enough to the dump to put the fire out. One firefighter stood 50 yards from the blaze and said the smoke was "gagging." "If they had been able to fight the fire, they would have needed to use respiratory equipment to protect themselves from the smoke," said Fire Chief Ron Combs.
Firefighters and Ecology investigators identified many illegal materials in the fire which included a tire, asphalt roof shingles, glass, record albums, foam insulation and other unidentified materials. "State law limits what can be disposed of in an open fire because of the toxic air pollution released when the prohibited materials are burned," explained Sue Billings, Ecology Air Quality Unit Supervisor for Central Washington. "Dozens of chemicals are released, including any that are known or suspected cancer causing agents."
The Health District had been trying to get Smith to clean up the dump for a year. He was ordered to take the roofing materials and miscellaneous waste to a landfill. Instead Smith obtained and signed a fire permit. The permit explained that only natural vegetation could be burned. Smith went on to burn the garbage he and others had been dumping there for years. "The permits let people know what is legal to burn. It's important for citizens to work with their local fire districts," says Chief Combs, "If you decide you must burn, we can help you do it legally and safely."
After responding to the incident the Fire District asked Ecology to help with an enforcement action under the state Clean Air Act. "This Fire District has worked hard to create a permit system that allows necessary and legal burning," says Ecology inspector Chrissie Caspar, "The citizens of Fire District #2 are entitled to the clean air benefits of their district's permit program and Ecology intends to continue offering enforcement support to local fire districts."
Smith may appeal the penalty to Ecology or the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
