Landfill Catches On Fire

A fire at the Jasper County Landfill last Friday morning was contained within three hours, and put completely out by mid-afternoon.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m., and units were on scene in 16 minutes, after having to go in the back way because the gate was still locked.

The fire was appropriately reported to the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and communicated operational tasks / hazards, waterway concerns and air quality concerns. EPD approved all mitigation and operational plans.

Once the worst of the fire was put out by fire personnel, public works personnel covered the fire with dirt while Fire/Rescue kept the fire knocked down and prevented the fire from spreading.

Units that responded included 901 – Chief Christopher Finch; Engine 3 – Lt. Paramedic Will Perry; Medic 3 – D/E – EMT Robert Farmer; Medic 1 – D/E Paramedic Austin Nation; Tanker 3 – D/E AEMT Steven Bernard; Tanker 2 – Battalion Chief Alvin McMichael, and Tanker 1 – D/E Paramedic Shawn Holmes; Tanker 4 – D/E EMT John Smith; Engine 1 – D/E Luke Steele; Squad 1 – D/E EMT-I Troy Hubbard, and D/E Suzanne Ward Medic 3.

Only one volunteer firefighter responded, and that was Jenny Oxford.

The top photo depicts the firefighters out at the landfill, and the photo at right tries to capture the extent of the fire as much rubbish was burning.

The landfill was closed the remainder of the day Friday and all day Saturday.

The county plans to re-open the landfill tomorrow, July 8. It is open each Friday and Saturday, and that is all at this time.