Landfill fire being monitored

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Initial tests show no air pollution problems caused by a fire burning within the city-owned Waimanalo Gulch landfill, state health officials said yesterday.

"I don't see an immediate emergency," said state deputy health director Laurence Lau.

Still, the department remains concerned about potential health issues and will monitor the situation and work with the city and Waste Management Inc., the company that operates the landfill, to put out the fire, Lau said.

Waste Management officials yesterday outlined a plan to end the fire and deal with related issues by June, Lau said. The underground fires are fed by gases created by the decomposing garbage and can be difficult to extinguish because of their remote location.

The company believes the fire is burning in two areas that are fairly deep within the Leeward Coast landfill, Lau said.

He said the company plans to install a liner that would smother the fire and prevent exposure to new rubbish. Lau said the company also plans to install vents to tap the methane gas that occurs during natural decomposition of garbage. Releasing the gas will help lower temperatures in the landfill, he said. "This is something smoldering deep down," he said.

Environmental watchdog Carroll Cox said he remains concerned about potential air pollution problems for nearby residents and of the danger of runoff from the landfill going to nearby waters.

Cox, president of Envirowatch Inc., said he would like to see more evidence of the state monitoring for potential air pollution. Lau said surveillance will continue around the clock.

Cox said the health department should have notified the public earlier about the fire and needs to work aggressively to address the problems.

Waste Management officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Lau said the company and city officials reported their suspicions of a fire at the end of last month after higher-than-expected temperatures were recorded when drilling began for methane wells to tap the gas within the landfill.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at 535-2429 or rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.