Fire in a Tire Recycling Facility (Nebraska City, Nebraska - January 23 to February 3, 2001) » Environmental Impact

The close proximity of the incident site to the Missouri River created the potential for environmental damage due to run off from the water being applied to extinguish the fire. According to the EPA, burning tires produce pyrolithic oil that contains naphthalene, trichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, ethylene, toluene, poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. Data obtained at other tire fires by the EPA indicate the presence in the air of the following contaminants: benzene, PAHs, phosgene, naphthalene, toluene, styrene, acrylonitrile, formaldehyde, carbon disulfide, sulfuric dioxide, carbon dioxide, and numerous heavy metals.

City and County public works personnel and equipment were used to transport sand to the incident site and where they constructed dikes and containment structures to prevent runoff from entering the river. Two collection points served to recover water, one each on the north and east sides of the fire. The EPA responded to the scene and their Emergency Response and Removal (ERRS) contractor collected runoff water, removed the oil, and disposed of the material. During the duration of the incident, a private contractor transported approximately 390,200 gallons of contaminated water by truck to the Omaha Waste Water Treatment plant for purification.

The number of contractors on site and the weariness of the local fire department, which had been severely taxed due to the duration of the incident, and loss of equipment and gear, resulted in the EPA requesting the assistance of the Coast Guard. The Atlantic Strike Team responded to provide assistance in documenting costs.

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