Details of Sunny Farms fire released

FOSTORIA—Sunday at around 4:05 p.m., the Bascom Fire Department received a call that Sunny Farms Landfill (12500 W County Rd 18), had caught fire. When the team arrived at the scene, which was around five minutes after the call, they discovered a fire just over the size of 20 acres on the south side of the landfill that's north of Township Road 108. The team was able to put the fire out and return back to the station by around 6:05 p.m. "It spread mostly due to the winds, and to our determination, the fire was likely started from an ember from the gas well that burns off the western side of the hill," said Bascom Fire Chief Chris Daniel. Daniel said the incident was a grass fire, and no trash or other debris was burning. He noted the fire was around 80% of the south side of the north hill within the landfill. The fire started at the bottom of the hill and proceeded to the far eastern edge of the landfill. Daniel explained the fire was on a portion of the landfill that was sealed up, and no wells were damaged. "While it was a large grass fire, it's typical this time of the year," he said, noting while the grass is in a dormant state, it is more likely to catch fire. "That's somewhat of the reason for the open burn ban." The Emergency Management Director (John Spahr) stopped out to make sure everything was in good shape after the fire, as well as a representative from the EPA who called and planned a follow-up, explained Daniels. "After the event, every gas well in the affected area was inspected and found intact, functional, and damage free," said Ben Nutter on behalf of Sunny Farms Landfill and WIN Waste Innovations. "The event was confined to the grass on the landfill surface, no damage to the liner occurred. After the landfill gas wells and liner were inspected, the flare was turned back on, and a fire watch was posted overnight." "Additionally, Bascom Chief Daniel and I are planning additional joint training, pre-planning—should a future emergency arise at WIN Waste Innovation," Nutter continued. "WIN is thankful for the Bascom Fire Department's excellent response and assistance in mitigating this grass fire at Sunny Farms Landfill."