EXTINGUISHING THE DELTA SHAKE AND SHINGLE LANDFILL FIRE 

Extinguishing the Fire.
As illustrated in Photo7, each excavator worked with a spotter throughout the firefight. Besides playing an important safety function, the spotter also used an infra-red temperature sensor to screen each bucket load placed in the truck (see Photo8). If all material placed in the truck was below 50 degrees C. the load was sent directly to the cold storage area. If temperatures of one or more bucket loads were measured above 50 degrees C. the the load was directed to the hot pad for extinguishment. Screening of excavated material reduced the amount of product needing extinguishment by approximately 45%.

Hot loads were transported to two large "hot pads" that were constructed on industrial properties north of the landfill where, as shown in Photo9, the burning material was spread out and foamed.

The hot pads were approximately 100 x 150 m, were constructed using a 0.3 m sand cushion layer overlain by 20 mil PVC membrane liner to prevent loss of leachate and contamination of the private properties temporary expropriated during the firefight. A second 0.45 m sand cushion layer was placed over the PVC to provide protection from above. A completed hot pad is shown in Photo10. Lined ditches were constructed around the pad perimeter to collect leachate and convey it to a central sump. Water collected in the sump was re-circulated back into the fire hoses, thereby minimizing the amount of leachate needing discharge and effectively re-using the Class A foam additives.

   

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