New Plan Might Extinguish Smoldering Pasco Landfill

The former site of the Pasco landfill that was closed to waste due to an underground fire could be put out if a new plan works. (Image courtesy of KNDU-TV)

The 250 acre site is now considered a federal superfund site, meaning it's considered a cleanup area. It's closed to accepting waste.  In November 2013, officials discovered smoke from smoldering waste underground consisting of municipal waste and shredded tires.  The mixture spontaneously began to combust and smolder, sending minor amounts of smoke into the air. It's not considered a threat to humans or animals, but the smoke continues.

Now, officials have a new plan. A 40-foot deep by 3-feet wide trench will be dug around the area that is burning.  It will be filled with a mixture of cement, clay and soil which will eventually harden and "box" in the waste, creating a containment area.

That will then be filled with water. It will mix with the waste, creating  a slushy type of material which officials say should cool dramatically. The water and cooling they hope will extinguish the smoldering waste, and prevent further spontaneous combustion.

No timetable was given as to how long this process will take. This area of the landfill no longer accepts waste of any kind.