July 18, 2019 3:50 a.m.
A low-level cover fire at the Douglas County Landfill on Sunday July 7^th has prompted the Douglas County Solid Waste Department to issue a notice about tossing flammable and hot waste items into trash bins, refuse containers and at county transfer stations.
The release said that landfill fires are most common in the spring and summer months, with the greatest risk peaking this month when temperatures are seasonally at their highest.
The release said landfill fires are especially dangerous, not only with the potential to start a wildfire on neighboring lands, but also because they can emit dangerous fumes from the combustion of the wide range of materials contained within the landfill. The July 7^th fire was burning in garbage on the upper portion of the landfill and was approximately a quarter of an acre in size. Fire crews were able to quickly contain it and prevent it from spreading to nearby hills.
Public Works Director Scott Adams said they are asking citizens to take a little time to properly dispose of flammable and hot waste items before placing them in a garbage can or disposing of them at a transfer station. He said the situation is “extremely dangerous” for the solid waste staff, as well as fire crews to fight fires at a landfill. Adams said between navigating the steep terrain with fire equipment, enduring the extreme heat caused by combustible materials and avoiding potentially toxic fumes, “there is a huge safety risk”.
While the cause of the recent fire is still under investigation, one likely culprit is discarded lithium batteries, which are used in a wide range of consumer electronics, toys and tools such as cell phones, lap top computers, and rechargeable drills. Lithium ion batteries were determined to be the cause of landfill fires at several other Oregon landfill locations.
For more information go to www.co.douglas.or.us.