Monroe County Commission releases statement about Monroe County landfill fire

MONROE COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — Multiple fire departments responded to a fire at a landfill in Monroe County at the beginning of August 2024.

Around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, a fire started inside a pile of shredded tires in Monroe County at the H.A.M. Sanitary Landfill. Various local fire departments in Monroe, Mercer, Summers, and Giles counties responded to the scene.

The efforts of the various fire departments helped contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby areas.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Homeland Security were informed when the fire started, and they sent a mobile command center to the landfill. As the fire burned, the mobile command center kept track of the air quality and conditions.

Members of the Monroe County Commission reached out to the West Virginia Governor’s Office when the fire was at its worst, discussing the heavy workload and large amount of pressure that the local volunteer fire departments were under while trying to get the fire under control.

In response to the information given by the Monroe County Commission, Governor Justice gave an order for West Virginia Department of Transportation tankers to help the local fire departments fight the fire at the landfill.

Four tanker trucks were sent by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to help put out the fire. According to a member of the WVDOH, the pile of shredded tires was around 300 feet long, 60 feet high, and 120 feet wide.

It took one phone call to the WVDOH and they were mobilizing those tanker trucks.

Harold Ward | State DEP Secretary

As of Monday, August 5, 2024, an estimated 95 percent of the fire was put out, and the remaining fire is being fought by a contracted company from the owners of the landfill.

Members of the Monroe County Commission would like to make sure that no matter where in the county community members live, that their safety and well-being is ensured. The safety of residents in Monroe County will be a main focus, as the air quality in the county is monitored by the EPA.

The Monroe County Commission also gave clarification about any rumors that may be spread due to the landfill fire and/or other past situations.

• No taxpayer money was used for the landfill fire. The insurance company of the landfill owner will cover the costs gathered during the fire, such as ones for the volunteer fire departments.
• The revenue generated from the landfill is meant for real estate and personal property taxes, which are relatively minimal. Out of the taxes, 75 percent goes to the Monroe County Board of Education, and $0.50 a ton goes to the Monroe County Solid Waste Authority for their recycling efforts per the West Virginia State Code.
• The Monroe County Commission stated that an ordinance could not have stopped this type of situation, and that although certain activities can be regulated by ordinances, state laws cannot be overridden.
• The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) keeps an eye on the landfills and gives out required permits. WVDEP regulations override any ordinance that could be enacted by the Monroe County Commission.

Although some people may believe that the Monroe County Commission allow incidents such as the landfill fire to happen without intervening, members of the Monroe County Commission stated that the belief is inaccurate.

Members of the Monroe County Commission, as well as elected officials, communicate with the WVDEP. Public meetings were not planned when the permit extension started, however the WVDEP and the Monroe County Commission held a meeting in the Peterstown area of Monroe County after having a discussion.

The Monroe County Commission showed their appreciation, and recognized the support and dedication of local volunteer firefighters, emergency personnel, 911 Director Richard Miller, and 911 Dispatchers.

Some of the responding emergency personnel included:

• Monroe County 911
• Monroe County Emergency Services
• Mercer County Emergency Services
• Summers County Emergency Services
• Giles County Emergency Services
• Nicholas County Emergency Services
• WVDEP
• WV DEQ
• VA DEQ
• WVDEP Hazmat Response
• WV State Fire Marshal Office
• WVDOH Princeton Water Tanker
• WVDOH Parksburg Water Tanker
• Giles County Administrator
• Giles County PSD
• Red Sulphur PSD
• Ham Landfill Operators
• Peterstown Volunteer Fire and Rescue
• Ballard Volunteer Fire Department
• Lindside Volunteer Fire Department
• Union Volunteer Fire Department
• Rich Creek Volunteer Fire Department
• Oakvale Volunteer Fire Department
• Matoaka Volunteer Fire Department
• Talcott Volunteer Fire Department
• Poplar Hill Volunteer Fire Department
• Meadow Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
• Lewisburg Fire Department

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