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EPA to Douse West Texas Tire Fire

Release Date: 8/27/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the Agency has assumed responsibility for extinguishing a fire at a tire recycling facility near Stamford in Haskell County, Texas.

       "The federal Superfund program allows EPA to move swiftly to protect citizens and the environment when the resources of local agencies are overwhelmed by emergency situations such as this one at Environmental Recovery and Recycling Inc. near Stamford," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

       Monday afternoon, with local volunteers exhausting their resources, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) requested EPA assume the lead for the site. EPA formally assumed responsibility for battling the blaze at 5 p.m. August 24.

       EPA's on scene coordinator met with local and state officials to coordinate fire-fighting efforts. Heavy equipment was brought in and trenches and a retaining pond have been dug to channel and to hold water runoff to prevent contamination of surrounding soil.

       A new technique using carbon dioxide and sand which was developed to fight large tire fires is being used. Liquid carbon dioxide is pumped into burning piles to displace oxygen and to cool the smouldering tire chips. Sand is then used to cover the piles and contain the smoke. This method has proven both economical and efficient when used to smother smaller tire fires.

       The Stamford Fire Department will continue providing technical fire-fighting expertise.

       U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm contacted EPA about the fire Monday and has been closely following the efforts to put it out. He said, "We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the 10 local volunteer fire departments which have worked bravely and tirelessly to contain this fire and to minimize its impact on the community. In addition, we owe special thanks to the Salvation Army and the Texas Forestry Service for their valuable assistance in this effort"

       State Rep. David Counts visited the site to observe fire-fighting efforts. "As dry as we are, a fire in our part of the world right now could have spelled disaster for our community. Luckily, area firefighters, facility employees, and other emergency personnel responded quickly with a tremendous effort. As a witness to the efforts of these dedicated personnel, I want to commend them for their work in containing this fire and preventing an area-wide disaster."

       State Sen. Tom Haywood said, "My first priority is protecting public health and safety and extinguishing the fire as soon as possible. I then look forward to working with TNRCC to see that measures are taken to prevent another such disaster in the future. I want to personally thank the many volunteer firefighters and their families for working to contain this fire."

       The fire reportedly started in piles of shredded tire chips about 10 p.m. Sunday, August 23. Six piles of the 50 piles on the site are burning. Each pile contains about 2 million pounds of shredded tires. The cause is under investigation.

       Stamford's volunteer fire department was the first to respond. Since TNRCC notified EPA about the fire August 24, the Agency has been at the site conducting specialized air monitoring of the smoke plume. EPA will continue air monitoring to determine if the smoke poses a threat to the health of area residents.