Dive Brief:

• On the heels of the EPA's findings that the underground fire smoldering beneath the Bridgeton landfill is not a hazardous threat, a surface fire blazed at the site.
• The fire began on Sunday morning, burning at the border of the landfill. It is believed flames began near a drainage ditch, and started due to a break in an air-line, allowing oxygen to enter into the liner.
• The fire burned some of the liner and plastic conveyance lines, which led to the release of leachate. Republic made a statement that the leak has been "captured and contained" for safe disposal.

Dive Insight:

Flames were extinguished by the landfill's on-site team, which is there seven days a week, around the clock. The Fire Protection District Assistant Chief said that no calls were made by the landfill crews to alert the fire or police departments about the blaze, which is the usual protocol. The response plan also dictates that St. Louis County Officials and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources be contacted. None of the agencies were notified.

Landfill officials and emergency responders are continuing to investigate the cause of the incident. In a statement released by the site's owner, Republic Services, the company says the two fires burning at the landfill are unrelated. The Bridgeton landfill has had an underground fire smoldering at the site for years, prompting the company to build a firebreak, but environmental and health concerns continue to grow.