TM ACTIVITIES REPORT
TIRE FIRE INVESTIGATION
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
25 SEPTEMBER TO 10 OCTOBER 1984
Prepared by
Region X
Technical Assistance Team
For
Region 1
Environmental Protection Agency
October 1984

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TDD #10-8410-07
TIRE FIRE INVESTIGATION
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
25 September to 3 October 1984
INTRODUCTION
On 25 September 1984, Carl Kitz (Region X EPA) requested that the Technical
Assistance Team (TAT) provide assistance to state and local officials in an
assessment of the hazards posed by a tire fire burning at the old City of
Everett landfill in Everett, Washington (Figure 1). The investigations revealed
that a similar fire had occurred at the same location the previous year. The
present fire began burning in the early morning of 24 September 1984. Arsonists
had apparently ignited the blaze. Everett Fire Department personnel fought the
fire for two days utilizing water and foamy however, efforts to extinguish the
blaze had been unsuccessful. A fire break was therefore constructed within the
tire pile to prevent additional tires from igniting (Figure 2).
Large quantities of smoke and steam were continually released from the tire
fire. On the first day of the fire, the smoke was carried into the City of
Everett. However, as the fire progressed, the plume of smoke was dispersed
predominantly in the less-populated easterly direction, over the Burlington
Northern Railroad Tracks and the Snohomish River (see Photographs 5 and 6). The
railroad line was tenporarily closed during the early stages of the fire. Also,
during the early morning hours inversion conditions often resulted in entrapment
of the smoke in the low-lying areas of the Snohomish River valley, until warming
of the air occurred allowing the smoke to dissipate. In several instances
during the later stages of the fire a somewhat reduced plume was once again
carried west into the City of Everett.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT/RESPONSE COORDINATION
Cleanup efforts at the Everett tire fire were funded by the State of
1

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FIGURE 1
EVERETT TIRE FIRE LOCATION
2

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FIGURE 2
SITE MAP
TO EVERETT
O
Burned-
Out
Building
O
O
Air Sampling Station #
access road

Animal
Shelter
i/9
Oil and Water Sampl
Location	\
Burning Air Samplina Station
Tires «
transient
housing
fire break
.MAir Sampl
#2
tion
m
m
Old fire Location
Air Sampling S:ati
3

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Washington Department of Ecology (DOE). Other agencies playing a cole in the
response included the City of Everett, the Snohomish County Health District,
EPA, and the Everett Fire Department. Elaine Rosenburg and Gregg Wagner (Region
X TAT) initially responded to the incident for the EPA. Based on experiences at
a similar fire that had occurred in Winchester, Virginia, where large quantities
of oil were released from the burning tires, TAT investigators attempted to
determine whether this fire was also releasing oil. The Snohomish River is
situated approximately 200 feet east of the city landfill and fire (Figure 2).
An initial inspection of the river at a location downstream from the fire did
not reveal the presence of oil. Two drainage ditches which are parallel to the
river and to the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks were also void of oil upon
initial inspection. However, a small quantity of pooled oil was observed on the
surface of the landfill. There did not appear to be a threat of a significant
release to the Snohomish River at that time.
The pile of tires continued to burn intensely throughout the night, in time
reaching the pyrolysis stage, allowing for generation and release of significant
quantities of oil. During the morning of 26 September 1984, EPA received re-
ports indicating that a sufficient quantity of oil had been generated overnight
to allow oil to flow to the Snohomish River. That morning, Jerry Portele and G.
Wagner (TAT) returned to the fire scene. Upon arrival, Everett Fire Department
personnel informed the investigators that the department had stopped pumping
water onto the fire at approximately 1700 hours the previous day. The fire
fighting effort had been abandoned when it was decided that the application of
water and foam was having minimal impacts.
Craig Baker (DOE) was onscene during the second TAT investigation. Mr.
Baker accompanied the TAT on an inspection of the drainage ditches adjacent to
the landfill. The west drainage ditch was found to contain in excess of 100
gallons of oil. The oil appeared to be seeping out of the landfill area. In
4

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addition, a culvert was discovered leading from the ditches to the river. A
small quantity of oil had entered the river via this culvert.
Mr. Baker indicated that he had initiated cleanup of the spill, with funding
to originate from the State of Washington Coastal Protection Fund. Crowley
Environmental Services (CES) had been contacted, and personnel and equipment
arrived on scene at approximately 1300 hours. The CES crew placed a containment
boom in the river at the point of material outfall. Sorbent booms were also
placed in the culvert system, and absorbent padding distributed within the
pooled oil areas.
A meeting was held in the City of Everett conference room at 0830 hours on
27 September 1984. In addition to TAT members J. Portele and E. Rosenburg, the
following personnel attended the meeting:
Bill Moore - Mayor, City of Everett
Craig Baker - Department of Ecology, OSC
Jim Willmann - Region X EPA
Bill Longston - Region X EPA
Dr. Claris Hyatt - Snohomish County Health District
C. Baker opened the meeting with an explanation of DOE involvement with the
fire to-date, including the efforts to contain the liquids being generated by
the fire. Concerns were raised from the start of the meeting over the nature of
the airborne contaminants found in the tire fire smoke. Dr. Hyatt explained
that air monitoring conducted by the County Health District for carbon monoxide
and particulates had indicated low levels of carbon monoxide and moderate part-
iculate concentrations. The county had not received any health corrplaints from
local citizens.
During the meeting, Jim Willmann indicated that Rod Turpin of the EPA-
Emergency Response Team, Edison, New Jersey would be on scene the following day
to initiate an air monitoring program similar to the one implemented at the
Winchester tire fire. City of Everett officials stated that in the interim,
5

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they would monitor the fire while allowing it to burn itself out.
A second meeting was called on 28 September 1984. Following a status report
by C. Baker, J. Portele presented a synopsis of the proposed air monitoring
program. R. Turpin discussed the results of the air monitoring program utilized
at the Winchester tire fire. Fourteen organic pollutants, including benzene,
were observed at the Virginia fire. Benzene, which was found to be the dominant
air pollutant, was detected at a concentration of less than 1 ppm. R. Turpin
suggested that threshold limit values (TLVs) for each compound should be divided
by 440 to determine acceptable concentrations for any compounds detected through
air monitoring at the Everett fire. Questions regarding public health concerns
could then be based on that information.
CES returned to the site on 28 September 1984 to place additional sorbent
booms in the culvert. The crew also constructed a weir at the outfall to the
river to further contain the oil. Vegetation was cut to facilitate future oil
removal. CES representatives indicated that they would not handle the oil until
analyses of the samples collected by the TAT were completed.
OIL AH) HATER SAMPLING
Oil and water sampling was conducted by the TAT in Level B protection
because a heavy plume of smoke from the fire continued to travel to the east of
the site throughout the operation. The plume was especially concentrated in the
area where oil and water had pooled. In addition, the smoke constituents and
their concentrations were unidentified at the time of the sampling effort.
Level B personnel protection included: SCBA, hooded Saranex coveralls, neoprene
boots, latex overboots, surgical inner gloves and neoprene outer gloves.
Three oil samples were collected on 26 September 1984. The sampling was
conducted by ladling oil into three clean 8-oz glass jars. Efforts focused on
collecting as much oil and as little water as possible. Discussions with the
laboratory had indicated that water in the samples would complicate analyses.
6

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Collection of the oil occurred at a point where much of the oil had accumulated,
in an area immediately adjacent to the landfill. The oil sample was collected
at 1642 hours and was delivered to Lauck's Testing Laboratory in Seattle,
Washington following strict chain-of-custody procedures. This sample was
analyzed for percent water, pH, percent total sulfur, heavy metals, and poly-
nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNA). A second sample of the oil was given to
the Everett Fire Department. The third sanple was retained by TAT personnnel
for possible analysis at a later date. Two additional oil samples were col-
lected at 1145 hours on 27 September 1984 for use by the DOE.
Oil sample analyses were available from Lauck's Testing on 28 September
1984. Results of the analyses are presented in Table 1. Due to the nature of
the constituents found in the oil, DOE representatives determined that the oil
would be handled as a hazardous waste. CES personnel were given results of the
analyses for determination of appropriate safety precautions to be implemented
when handling the oil. Due to the suspected carcinogenic nature of many of the
PNAs detected in the oil (Table 2), CES personnel opted to don Level C pro-
tection during cleanup operations. As of 10 October 1984, 500 gallons of oil
were collected by CES and shipped to Chem-Security Systems, Inc. in Arlington,
Oregon for disposal.
Water running off of the site as a result of fire-fighting activities was
sampled at 1600 hours on 28 September. This sample was obtained utilizing a
clean half-gallon amber glass bottle. The sample was collected at the same
location as the oil sanples. Sanple collection methods involved submerging the
capped bottle beneath the surface of the oil, then removing the cap and allowing
the bottle to fill with water. The contents of the collection bottle were then
transferred to a second clean half-gallon amber bottle. The water sample was
delivered to Lauck's Testing Laboratory following appropriate chain-of-custody.
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TABLE 1
RESULTS CF ANALYSES OF OIL SAMPLES
EVERETT TIRE FIRE
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Oil Phase/ %	73
Water Phase, %			.27
Total Sulfur,!			0.76
HEAVY METALS (ppm)
Total Arsenic	0.4
Total Barium	1/2
Total Cadmium....	.	0.2
Total Chromium	0.7
Total Lead.	1.0
Toted Mercury	1/0.1
Total Selenium			...L.0.2
Total Silver					1/0.2
POLYNUCLEAR ARCMATIC HYDROCARBONS (ppm)
Napthalene	16,000
Acenaphthylene	1,400
Flourene			3,200
Phenanthrene			2,000
Anthracene	 980
Fluor anthene	 940
Pyrene	2,100
Chrysene	 350
Benzo (a) Anthracene					 910
Benzo (k) Fluoranthene.....	 970
Benzo (b) Fluroanthene	1/120
Benzo (a) Pyrene	 140
Indeno (1,2,3-cd) Pyrene	1/410
Dibenzo (a,h) Anthracene			1/26
Benzo (g,h,i) Perylene			1/26
8

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TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH
CONTAMINANTS DETECTED IN OIl/WATER SAMPLES
EVERETT TIRE FIRE
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Substance	Detection Concentration	Associated Health Effects*
Media	(ppm)
Acenaphthene	Oil	3,200
Anthracene	Oil	980
Arsenic	Oil	0.4
Water	0.01
Benzo (k)	Oil	970
fluoranthene
Benzo (a)	Oil	140
pyrene
Cadmium	Oil	0.2
Chromium	Oil	0.7
Chrysene	Oil	350
Cyanides	Water	1.1
Experimentally causes tumor formation
A recognized carcinogen of the skin, hands, fore-
arm and scrotum. An experimental carcinogen of
the bladder.
An experimental carcinogen.
Experimentally causes the formation of tumors and
cancer in mice.
Experimentally causes turmor formation. An experi-
mental carcinogen and mutagen.
An experimental carcinogen. Some evidence of
teratogencity. Pulmonary edema and death may
occur through exposure.
Experimentally causes the formation of tumors and
cancer.
Absorbed through the skin. Experimentally causes
the formation of tumors and cancer.
Exposure to small amounts over long periods of
time may cause loss of appetite, headache, weak-
ness, nausea, dizziness and irratation to the
respiratory tract. Calcium cyanide is a deadly
poison. The volatile cyanides cause death
through asphyxiation.

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Substance
TABLE 2 SUMMARY CP HEALTH EFFECTS, COOT.
Detection
Media
Concentration
Associated Health Effects1
Lead
Naphtalene
Oil
Oil
16,000
A suspected carcinogen of the lungs and kidney,
and an experimental teratogen. Other synptcms of
exposure include abdominal pain, joint muscle
pain, insomnia, stupor, coma and death.
Experimentally causes the formation of tumors via
subcutaneous routes. Liver damage, convulsions
and coma may result.
Phenanthrene
Pyrene
Zinc
Oil
Oil
Water
4,000
2,100
4
An experimental carcinogen via dermal routes. A
skin photo-sensitizer
Experimentally causes the format ion of tumors via
dermal routes.
Exposure symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
Many zinc salts are known or suspected carcino-
gens.
* Sax, N. Irving, Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, Fifth Edition,
Van Nastrand Reinhold, New York, 1979.

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Water sarrple analyses included heavy metals, cyanides, and PNAs.
Results from the analyses of water samples were also received on 28
September 1984 (Table 3). No PNAs were detected in the water samples. Zinc was
detected at a concentration of 4 ppn, while cyanide and arsenic were detected at
1.1 and 0.01 ppm, respectively.
AIR SAMPLING
Atmospheric sampling was conducted at the Everett tire fire to identify and
quantify any gases or particulates given off by the conbustion or pyrolysis of
the tires. Analysis of the oil revealed the presence of a complex mixture of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It was suspected that the low boiling point
constituents of this mixture, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, were also
present in the plume.
R. Turpin arrived at the site on 28 September 1984 to set up the air mon-
itoring program. Gilian Hi-Flow sanpling punps were used to draw contaminated
air through glass sample tubes packed with a selected sorbent medium. The medium
was then analyzed by the Trace Organics Analysis Center at the University of
Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Sample tubes containing activated carbon were used to collect vapors of
organic substances with boiling points above zero degrees centigrade. Tubes
containing the porous polymer, tenax, were used to collect substances that
absorb poorly onto activated carbon (such as high molecular-weight hydrocar-
bons). Charcoal and tenax media exhibit nonpolar qualities and therefore have a
much greater affinity for organic gases than for inorganic gases which are
primarily polar.
The Gilian punps were calibrated before use and the flow rate was set at one
liter per minute. The ends of the collection tubes were broken off inuiediately
before sampling was initiated, and were capped immediately after sampling.
Sanples were stored in a freezer or on ice while awaiting delivery for analysis.
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TABLE 3
RESULTS CF ANALYSES OF WATER SAMPLES
EVERETT TIRE FIRE
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
pH			5.3
Total Arsenic (ppn)	0.01
Total Cyanide (ppm)	1.1
Total Zinc (ppn)	4
PNAs - none detected (detection limits from 5-30 ppb)
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One blank charcoal tube and one blank tenax tube were enclosed in each
sanple set and were treated in the same manner as the real samples. Blanks were
used to assess contaminants in the sampling media, and to monitor potential con-
tamination of samples both in the field and in the laboratory.
The charcoal air sample tubes were desorbed and assayed for organic con-
taminants according to a NIOSH-approved method on a gas chromatograph. The tenax
tubes were treated similarly, except that desorption of the materials was per-
formed utilizing methylene chloride. Unknown contaminants were identified by
using information obtained from the gas chromatograph and a mass-spectrometer
and were quantified by using authentic standards by gas chromatograph/flame ion-
ization detection. The University of Washington Laboratory reported that their
typical desorption efficiency is greater than eighty percent.
On 28 September 1984 Megan Davis, E. Rosenburg, G. Wagner, and J. Portele
(TAT) assisted R. Turpin in setting up four air sampling stations around the
tire fire (Figure 2). TAT members entered the site in Level B protection to
place three pumps in the plume. Station tl was located on the east edge of the
fire as close as possible to the flames without fear of excess heat on the
systems. One pump with a charcoal tube and one pump with a tenax tube were
placed at Station #1. Station #2 was located in the plume approximately 200
feet downwind from Station #1. One pump with a charcoal tube was placed at
Station #2. Background pumps with a charcoal tube and a tenax tube were placed
at Station #3, located upwind of the plume but within 100 feet of the freeway to
account for background interferences from auto emissions.
The first set of pumps and tubes operated for two hours and then were
replaced with fresh tubes for one hour. After the first set of tubes were
collected, the pump from Station #2 and one puirp from the background Station #3
were moved approximately one-half mile downwind in the plume to Station #4. This
was done to provide information on dilution rates with distance. Sample punps
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at Station #4 ran for one hour. During the second run of one hour, only one
carbon tube sample was collected at Station *3.
Air sample tubes were frozen until they were delivered to the laboratory at
the University of Washington at 1000 hours on 29 September 1984. Blank tenax
and carbon tubes were included in the sample set for analysis. The tenax tubes
were analyzed by a mass-spectrometer. The charcoal tubes were analyzed by a gas
chromatograph. Due to the high cost of analysis on a mass-spectrometer, the
tenax tube from the second set of samples collected from Station #1 and the
tenax tube from Station #4 were not analyzed and remain frozen in case analysis
should be required in the future.
G. Wagner and E. Rosenburg (TAT) returned to the site on 1 October 1984 to
collect another set of air samples. Samples were collected from the same stat-
ions using identical flow rates, collection times, media, and procedures as was
done on 28 September 1984. An additional charcoal tube was set up at the Dennis
Dickey residence approximately two miles downwind from the fire. This sample was
collected for two hours.
This second set of air samples were not analyzed and remain frozen in case
analysis should be required in the future. The main purpose for collecting the
second set of sanples was to have additional samples in case problems arose with
the first set or if the first set of samples revealed unexpected or unusual
results.
On 3 October 1984, G. Wagner, E. Rosenburg, and M. Davis returned to the
site to collect additional air samples, and to conduct a survey with a Miniram
module (real time aerosol monitor). Cool air off the Puget Sound had caused an
inversion that trapped the emissions from the tire fire at low levels to such a
degree that determining the wind direction was difficult. A background sanple
was taken from the usual site camand post and parking area, located northeast
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of the fire. Another sample was taken from the Everett Fire Department, located
approximately one mile northwest of the fire. These two samples were the only
ones collected before the meter malfunctioned. The air particulate
concentrations taken from the Miniram meter were not significantly above the
background level. The background level may have been abnormally high because it
was taken adjacent to an active railroad track and a dirt road. Also, due to
the effects of the inversion, the sample was not actually upwind of the fire.
Five additional air samples were collected on 3 October 1984. These sanples
were not analyzed but have been frozen in case analysis should be required in
the future.
The results of the sanples collected on 28 September 1984 are provided in
Table 4. The specific conpounds identified are those that were identified with
the aid of a quantified standard. Classes of chemicals representing multiple,
coup lex components are indicated at the right side of the table. Conpounds that
were detected but were found to be present below the quantifiable limit of the
method (0.02 mg/m^) are reported as "Q.L.".
Eleven specific chemicals were identified. Sanples taken from Station #1,
nearest the fire, indicated that benzene, toluene, and xylene were the sub-
stances present in the highest concentrations. All other substances were below
the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). Benzene was present at a level of 10.59
mg/m^ (3.31 ppm) which is above the NIOSH/OSHA PEL of 3.19 mg/rP (1 ppm).
Benzene will penetrate the skin and is a suspected carcinogen. Exposures to
benzene have a cumulative effect.
The two sets of analytical results from the sanples collected from Station
fl (one hour sanpling versus two hours) indicated very conparable test results,
with the difference in results for each substance ranging from 3 to 25 percent.
This indicated that the method of collection and analysis generated consistent
results. The tenax tube collected from Station #1, at the edge of the fire, did
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TABLE 4
AIR CONTAMINANT ANALYTICAL RESULTS
EVERETT TIRE FIRE
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Contaminants {mg/m ]
Contaminant
Classes (mg/nr)
PEL tmj/m3) (* ACG1H TU)
Q.L. ¦ 0.02 wg/a? foe a 100 L air unple
u.w.
Sanple 4
CPA ID I
Date
2£E£.
Volume (13
I
i
1
5125/1
9/27/84
Chaxooal
122
0.57
0.66
2
5124/4
9/27/B4
Oiarcoal
118
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not reveal concentrations of contaminants similar to those that were detected on
the charcoal tube. Possibly the contaminants present in the air were not of
sufficient molecular weight to be collected on the tenax media.
The sample tube at Station #2, approximately 200 feet downwind from the
fire, received approximately 40% of the contaminants that were present at
Station #1, which was closest to the fire. The level of contaminants present in
the saitple tube collected at Station #2 were well below the PEL.
Background samples (Station #3) and sanples collected from Station #4 did
not contain any detectable amounts of contaminants. A suimary of the exposure
information on the contaminants detected in the plume is given in Table 5.
CONCLUSIONS ASD RECOMMENDATIONS
From the site assessment and analyses of air, oil/ and water samples col-
lected in conjunction with tire fire response activities, additional sampling
actions may be warranted at this site to further assess the threat posed to
human health and the environment.
The City of Everett should be advised to provide additional security
measures at the landfill, to ensure that a third tire fire is not ignited.
Plans should also be finalized to remove the unburned tires remaining at the
site as soon as possible.
Standing water and residual oil found on the site in close proximity to the
tire fire should be sampled to determine whether they are contaminated. Con-
taminated liquids should be removed or securely contained while awaiting removal
or treatment.
Soil sanples should be collected within areas of apparent runoff from the
landfill, and also within the drainage ditches located adjacent to the railroad
tracks and within the culvert leading to the Snohomish River. Samples should be
collected at the surface and at the six inch depth. Additional subsurface
sanpling should not be required due to the organic content and peat-like nature
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TABLE 5
SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE INFORMATION ON AIR CONTAMINANTS
-mg/m
Substance
Location
Concentration
(PEL)
TLV-TOA TLV-STEL TLV--TWA/440
Acetone
Benzene
Heptane
Hexane
Hexene
Naphthalene
Pentane
Thiophene
Edge of fire
200* downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire 200*
200* downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire
All other locations
Edge of fire
200* downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire
200' downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire
200' downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire
200' downwind
All other locations
Edge of fire
All other locations
0.55 - 0.57
<0.02
JO
9.68 - 10.59
1.35
H>
<0.02
N)
0.18 - 0.21
<0.02
ND
<0.02
<0.02
ID
0.82 - 1.32
0.13
M)
0.61 - 0.66
0.10
Nr
0.25 - 0.30
2,400
1,780
3.19	30
15.95 (ceil)
2,000
1,800
1,800
50
2,950
1,600
1,800
50
1,800
2,375
75
2,000
3,600
75
2,250
4.05
0.05
3.64
4.09
0.11
4.09
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TABLE 5
SUMMARY CF EXPOSURE INFORMATION ON AIR CONTAMINANTS (cont.)
Substance
Location
Concentration
(PEL)
	mg/m	:—
1LV-TOA HjV-STEL TLV-TWA/440
Toluene
Edge of fire
200' downwind
Half mile downwind
Background
0.03 - 6.70
0.64
<0.02
N)
752
375
560
1.27
Xylene
&
Styrene
Edge of fire
200* downwind
Half mile downwind
Background
0.04 - 5.41
0.33
<0.02
M)
435(x)
425(s)
435(x)
215(s)
655(x)
425(x)
0.99
0.49
Alkanes,
Substituted
Alkenas,
Substituted
Edge of fire
Edge of fire
0.35 - 1.44
4.15 - 16.93
Armoatics,
Alkylated
Dienes
Naphthalenes
Edge of fire
Edge of fire
Edge of fire
1.05 - 4.29
9.00 - 36.67
<0.02 - 0.05
52
52
* The permissible exposure limits (PELs) are work-shift time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations.
'Ceil' denotes the ceiling limit established. All values were obtained from the NIOSH/OSHA
Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
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TABLE 5
SUMMARY CF EXPOSURE IWOBMATION ON AIR CONTAMINANTS (cont.)
2 The threshold limit value-time weighted average (TLV-TWA) is the time-weighted average con-
centration for a normal eight-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek to which nearly all workers
may be exposed day after day without adverse effect. The threshold limit value-short term
exposure limit (TLV-STEL) is the concentration to which workers cn be exposed continuously for a
15-minute time-weighted average exposure without suffering from irritation, tissue damage or
narcosis. These values were obtained from TLVs-Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances
and Physical Agents in the Work Ehvironment with Intended Changes for 1983-1984.
^ The TLV-TWA/440 is the level suggested by Rod Turpin, EPA-ERT, Edison, New Jersey, as being an
acceptable concentration of contaminant released as a result of the fire.
ro
O
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of the underlying soils (according to the Snohomish County Soil Conservation
Service). In addition, the oil did not remain pooled on the surface for a
significant length of time.
Soil sairples should be analyzed for PNAs, heavy metals, and cyanide. Should
analysis of the samples reveal the presence of high levels of contaminants, soil
removal may be warranted. It is recommended that background soil samples be
collected at a location to the northwest of the site. This is the area least
likely to have been affected by particulate fallout from the fire.
In the event that a tire fire were to occur at this location or at a similar
site at some future date, it is recommended that an air monitoring program be
initiated inroediately to determine levels of contaminants produced during the
earliest fire stages. It is also recommended that the highly toxic oil be
removed from the area as soon as possible after it is generated. The oil should
not be allowed to stand and, consequently, slowly migrate off of the site into
adjacent soils or surface waters.
21
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TOD #10-8410-07
CITY OF EVERETT LANDFILL TIRE FIRE
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo 1. Smoke and steam generation from the fire, looking south, 25 September
1984.
Photo 2. Fire-fighting efforts by the Everett Fire Department, looking south-
east, 25 September 1984.
22
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Photo 3.
Burning tires and plume of smoke, looking east, 25 September 1984.
Photo 4. Burning tires and plume of smoke, looking east, 25 September 1984
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Photo 5. Plume of smoke and steam travelling to the east of the site over the
Burlington-Northern Railroad tracks, 25 Septenfcer 1984.
Photo 6. Plume of smoke and steam travelling to the east of the site over the
Burlington-Northern Railroad tracks, 25 September 1984.
24
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Photo 7. Old tire fire location, looking northwest. Note ponded water, 25
September 1984.
Photo 8. Water pooled in a depressional area on site, 25 September 1984.
25
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Photo 9. Oil and water sanpling location, facing west.
Photo 10. Crowley Environmental Services crew surveying the Snohomish River.
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Photo 11. Culvert leading to the Snohomish River with containment measures,
facing east.
Photo 12. Background air monitoring location in field to the northwest of the
the fire.
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Photo 13. In plume air monitoring location, facing west.
Photo 14. Air monitoring site located 200 feet downwind of the fire's edge,
facing southeast.
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Photo 15. Old tire fire site in foreground, smoke from most recent fire in the
rear, facing northwest.
Photo 16. Air monitoring site located one-half mile downwind of the fire.
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