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                        SUBSURFACE LANDFILL FIRE SUPPRESSION AND MONITORING
                       
A Case Study at the Campbell Mountain Landfill, Penticton, British Columbia

Recommendations for Implementation of Phases 2 and 3.
As mentioned in Section 2 of this document, a comprehensive three-phase fire suppression plan was developed by the advisory board. Phase 1 involved the installation of an impervious clay cap over the landfill crest in conjunction  with shotcrete seals along the landfill edge. Phases 2 and 3 involved the contingency of a membrane cap over the clay cover and a grout seal at the landfill crest, if required.

Installation of the Phase 1 clay cover was completed in May 1998. Twenty-seven months of monitoring data have been subsequently been compiled, and the following has been determined.

  • The fire has not spread from the North Ravine into the main landfill,
  • The clay barrier and shotcrete seal has successfully cut off the oxygen supply to the fire zone,
  • The temperatures in the area of the fire have followed a downward trend since the installation of the clay cover.
In light of these results, it is apparent that the clay cover and shotcrete seal are proving to be sufficiently effective in suppressing the fire, and it is likely that no further extinguishment measures (i.e. Phases 2 and 3) will be necessary. SHA does however recommend that the monitoring program be continued to confirm to date, and to determine the validity of the most recent oxygen concentration results.

The temperature within the monitoring wells and the integrity of the clay layer and biosolids will continue to be monitored on a monthly basis while the gas concentrations will be measured on a quarterly basis. In the event that the temperatures in the North Ravine increase above 70 degrees C. significant increases in temperature are observed in the monitors at the landfill crest, the oxygen concentration increase is confirmed, or that desiccation and/or cracking of the clay layer is noted, the option to implement Phase 2 and Phase 3 contingency measures will again be revisited.

   end of article.