Fire at TBM field in Gorodeck district entirely put out by firefighters
Article:
Title: Post-Fire Management at the Gorodetsky Landfill: Necessary Steps for Waste Isolation and Safety
Date: April 30, 2025, 14:04
Ad Placement: The soil is being spread across certain segments of the landfill site.
The recent fire at the landfill site in Gorodetsky has been completely put out, as per the official statement from the Ministry of Ecology of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
"To ensure safety, the soil has been spread on some parts of the landfill, and additional soil is being brought to the site. This is to separate the waste that didn't catch fire. The ministry will continue monitoring the situation," the announcement stated.
Earlier, a tragic incident happened where a pensioner lost their life in a house fire on Ankudinovskoye Highway.
Authored By: Natalia Malyugina
In the aftermath of a landfill fire, particularly in sensitive regions such as Gorodetsky, it's critical to implement a series of measures to maintain waste management, ensure safety, and protect the environment. Here's what comes next:
Steps for Waste Isolation and Safety Measures
- Post-Fire Assessment
- Conduct a thorough examination of the site for any potential hazards, such as unstable ground or harmful gas pockets.
- Utilize specialized equipment to detect gases like methane and carbon monoxide.
- Waste Stabilization and Isolation
- Seal the Landfill: Install an impermeable layer when it is safe to do so, preventing leachate (wastewater from the landfill) from polluting groundwater.
- Monitoring Wells: Insert monitoring wells surrounding the site to track groundwater for possible contamination.
- Safety Measures
- Fire Breaks: Establish fire breaks around the perimeter to prevent future fires from spreading if they occur.
- Gas Capture Systems: Implement gas capture systems to handle gases generated by decomposition, minimizing the risk of explosions and environmental damage.
- Environmental Restoration
- Revegetation: Kickstart the restoration process by revegetating the area, enhancing aesthetics and ecological function.
- Renewable Energy: Consider using the site for renewable energy production, like capturing methane for generating electricity or heat.
- Community Engagement
- Community Update: Inform neighbors about the current status and future plans for the site.
- Address Concerns: Resolve any questions or concerns they may have about safety and environmental impact.
- Long-Term Monitoring
- Regular Monitoring: Continuously monitor the site for signs of subsidence, gas migration, or contaminated leachate.
- Periodic Audits: Conduct routine environmental audits to ensure compliance with local regulations.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Rule Adherence: Ensure all actions are in line with local and national environmental laws and regulations.
- Authority Collaboration: Work closely with authorities to uphold transparency and accountability.
By taking these steps, we can ensure not only the site's safe management but also reduce risks for the environment and the community.
In the context of the recent landfill fire in Gorodetsky, Municipality of Novgorod, it's essential to implement the recommended waste isolation and safety measures to prevent future accidents. The first step is a post-fire assessment, which involves examining the site for potential hazards and utilizing specialized equipment to detect harmful gases.
Following the assessment, waste stabilization and isolation should be carried out by sealing the landfill when it's safe to do so, preventing polluting groundwater with leachate. Additionally, monitoring wells need to be installed to track groundwater for contamination signs.
To minimize risks for future fires and explosions, fire breaks should be established, and gas capture systems implemented. Moreover, the environment can be restored by revegetating the area, considering renewable energy production, and engaging the community with regular updates, addressing concerns, and long-term monitoring. These measures aim to ensure the site's safe management, minimize environmental risks, and guarantee compliance with local and national regulations.
