Don't Flirt with Fire — Preventing Landfill Fires and How They Differ from Other Fires

Landfill fires are far too common. They differ from other fires because landfills have:

• An unknown mix and composition of materials
• Hazardous and/or toxic waste
• Unknown depth and age of waste
• Large, exposed surface areas and preferential underground pathways for fires to burn and travel
• Presence of landfill gas (methane)
• Unstable surfaces and slopes
• Multiple agencies and involved

              Fires can be caused by materials and circumstances that face landfills every day including hot loads, air intrusion, chemical reactions, equipment fires, environmental factors, batteries, and spontaneous combustions. This presentation will help waste management professionals (and fire professionals) to better understand the challenges and impacts of landfill fires and the opportunities to reduce the likelihood of a fire through improved landfill operations. It will also provide a high-level overview of the different types and causes of landfill fires, identify tools and best management practices for preventing fires, and touch on firefighting methods for landfills.