Fires and Illegal Dumping

Illegal Dumping can cause fires and combating illegal dumping is becoming a top priority for many cities throughout the world. The growing problem is created by those who do not want to pay fees associated with disposing of their waste legally, but who would rather risk stiff penalties and fines if they were to be caught committing the crime.

 

Lawfully disposed hazardous materials, such as used automobile oil, may at times incur various fees for its disposal. In an effort to avoid paying these fees, would-be dumpers simply find an area to dispose of these materials, and break the law by doing so.

 

There exists a vast array of materials that can be commonly found amidst the rubble in a pile of illegally dumped waste. Items that include household refuse, used automobile parts, and hazardous medical waste. While many items that compose an unlawfully dumped waste site often pose various health risks, flammable materials at an illegal dump site can cause serious harm.

 

Electronic waste and used automobile tires are some of the most commonly illegally dumped items. When exposed to high temperatures and decomposition within the dump site, these items can catch fire quickly. Due to the fact that many illegal dump sites are located in more rural areas, these dump site fires can spread to the surrounding habitat and lead to wide-scale forest fires.

 

When hazardous materials combust, the toxic air particles resulting from the site fire can have devastating consequences on humans and the surrounding wildlife, while polluting nearby ground and drinking water.

 

Repeat offenders and dumpers of various hazardous materials face heavier fines and possible jail time for dumping their garbage unlawfully, as they should.  Communities need tools, such as illegal dumping cameras, social media, and heavy fines to combat and prevent the dump sites from turning into a blazing inferno.   In addition to a means of prevention, it is up to our own communities to make sure those responsible for committing this odious act are held responsible. Be proactive, stop the problem before the community goes up in smoke!