5103_Mulch Fire Notification_20230513

Waste Management
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY
FIRE OCCURRENCE NOTIFICATION
NCDEQ Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Notify the Section verbally within 24 hours and submit written notification within 15 days of the occurrence.
(If additional space is needed, use back of this form)
NAME OF FACILITY: Johnston County Landfill PERMIT # 5103
DATE AND TIME OF FIRE: May 13, 2023 @ 6:50 am
HOW WAS THE FIRE REPORTED AND BY WHOM:
Landfill staff member, Cody Weaver, observed smoke as he arrived the the yard waste area.
LIST ACTIONS TAKEN:
See attachment
WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE:
Unknown, suspected "Hot Spot" developed by something ignitable being thrown into the mulch since the affected area was at the edge of the mulch pile.
DESCRIBE AREA TYPE AND AMOUNT OF WASTE INVOLVED:
Mulch area approximately 6' x 6'
WHAT COTJLD HAVE, BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THIS FIRE:
When observed, continue to caution customers on their use of cigarettes around the landfill.
DESCRIBE PLAN OF ACTIONS TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS:
Advise all staff members to be on the look out for this type of activity (smoking) throughout the landfill.
NAME:"TITLE: I�. ,. DATE:
THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY SOLID WASTE SECTION REGIONAL STAFF
DATE RECEIVED
List any factors not listed that might have contributed to the fire or that might prevent occurrence of future fires:
FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED:
❑ NO PHONE CALL
ACTIONS TAKEN OR REQUIRED:
Revised 611512016
SUBMITTAL MEETING RETURN VISIT BY:_ (DATE)

Johnston County Landfill
Mulch Fire Incident
5-13-2023
On 5-13-2023 at approximately 6:50 am Landfill Staff Member, Cody Weaver, reported to the Yard Waste Area
where he discovered smoke and a one -foot -tall flame in the edge of the mulch debris. He notified Supervisor,
Andrew Braswell, of the situation. Cody Weaver was tasked to fill the water truck while Andrew Braswell used
the Track Excavator to remove and separate the "hot spot" from the large pile of mulch. Additional staff was
called to assist in neutralizing the hot area. A trench was dug, and the affected mulch removed from the area
by using a dozer. Then the mulch was spread evenly across the borrow pit area. A total of 8,000 gallons of
water was applied to the hot mulch. A total of 12 loads of dirt was stock piled in the area for further use if
needed. DEQ Amanda Thompson was notified of this incident at 11:09 am. This operation ended at 12:00 pm.
Trench
Dozer
1
Hot mulch
Mulch pile spreaded out

5-15-2023 at approximately 7:00 am staff began separating and rolling the non -affected mulch pile. This was
done to possibly find any additional "hot spots" there may be. An additional 4,000 gallons of water were
applied to the original hot area. The 12 loads of dirt were then spread across the mulch to ensure no further
flame ups would occur.
*This mulch pile was from December 2022. The pile had been continually monitored and showed no signs of
overheating. At the time of this incident, several temperature checks were made. 110 degrees was the highest
temp recorded.
STAFF ASSISTED: EQUIPMENT USED:
Brian Beasley
Water Truck
Tony Sullivan
Track Loader
Andrew Braswell
CAT D6 Dozer
Cody Weaver
John Deere 850 Dozer
Brian Stevenson
300 Volvo Excavator
Terry Pitts
330 Volvo Excavator
Beman Owensby
CAT Offroad Truck
2