REDUCING THE RISK OF LANDFILL FIRE

Importance of Cover Material

In my experience, most landfill fires (excluding those from hot or reactive loads and careless smoking) occur on landfill side slopes with inadequate soil cover. 

For example, on a recent fire project in Israel, I investigated a fire at an MSW/DLC landfill with numerous active burn zones.  It became apparent that the fire had spread through dry grass and brush at surface, and then penetrated into the landfill in a number of areas where little or no soil cover was present. 

  Photo 2.  Investigating Fire Sinkhole  at Carmon Site, Israel 

Application of 600 mm (2 ft.) of intermediate soil cover is recommended on all completed landfill surfaces, and particularly on side slopes that will be left exposed for months to years.

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