______________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Page 1 THE CENTINELA WASTE TIRE COLLECTION SITE Background of the Site The Centinela waste tire collection site (WTCS) is located at the foot of the Centinela Mountain, 10 miles (16.5 km) west of Mexicali, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Federal Highway 2, and 3 miles south of the US-Mexico border (Image 1). The site rests at an altitude of 130-175 feet above sea level, at 32° 36' 43.0'' north latitude and 115° 41' 22.3" west longitude. The tires are spread out over a 35.67-acre area (14.43 Hectares). Legal scrap tire disposal at the Centinela site began in 1985 through a joint agreement between Municipal, State and Federal Mexican authorities, and the collective landowners (The Farmer Association, represented by residents from the Ejido Emiliano Zapata). All types of tires were accepted from the entire State of Baja California. Officially, the Centinela site has not accepted waste tires since 1993. However, there is evidence of continued disposal of tires and other waste. At present, the site is abandoned. There is no fence surrounding the area. There are no personnel working at the site. Image 1. The Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site and surroundings 1 (3/17/04). This figure is not to scale
Transcript
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THE CENTINELA WASTE TIRE COLLECTION SITE
Background of the Site The Centinela waste tire collection site (WTCS) is located at the foot of the Centinela Mountain, 10 miles (16.5 km) west of Mexicali, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Federal Highway 2, and 3 miles south of the US-Mexico border (Image 1). The site rests at an altitude of 130-175 feet above sea level, at 32° 36' 43.0'' north latitude and 115° 41' 22.3" west longitude. The tires are spread out over a 35.67-acre area (14.43 Hectares). Legal scrap tire disposal at the Centinela site began in 1985 through a joint agreement between Municipal, State and Federal Mexican authorities, and the collective landowners (The Farmer Association, represented by residents from the Ejido Emiliano Zapata). All types of tires were accepted from the entire State of Baja California. Officially, the Centinela site has not accepted waste tires since 1993. However, there is evidence of continued disposal of tires and other waste. At present, the site is abandoned. There is no fence surrounding the area. There are no personnel working at the site.
Image 1. The Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site and surroundings1 (3/17/04).
This figure is not to scale
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General Aspects of the Local Area
The Centinela WTCS is located west of Mexicali, the state’s capital. The city of Mexicali rests at an altitude of 32.8 feet (10 meters) above sea level, at 32° 40’ latitude and 115° 28’ longitude. Mexicali has an estimated population of 764,902 people2 and covers 5,001 square miles (12,978 sq. km.). Mexicali shares a common international border with the City of Calexico, California, which has an estimated population of 27,109 people3 and covers 6.2 square miles (16.09 sq. km.). The City of Mexicali comprises 14 sectors, known as delegaciones: Algodones, Benito Juarez, Progreso, Gonzalez Ortega, Hechicera, Ciudad Morales, Bataquez, Cerro Prieto, Venustiano Carranza, Colonias Nuevas, San Felipe, Hermosillo, Estacion Delta, and Guadalupe Victoria. In these sectors, there are 268 small populations of collective farmers, called ejidos, dispersed throughout the Mexicali Valley agricultural area. Land use is predominantly low density residential. Pockets of commercial areas are distributed throughout the city. Higher density residential areas are located adjacent to the International Border and on the northwest side of the city. Industrial areas are primarily located on the East side of the city with smaller industrial parks to the West. The areas surrounding the Centinela site are mainly rural and farm lands worked primarily by the collective farmers of Ejido Emiliano Zapata and Ejido Heriberto Jara. The nearest population is 2 miles to the East (3.2 km), and known as La Rosita. Smaller unnamed populated areas and a cemetery are located 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 km) from the site. The main industrial facilities in the area are the Termoelectrica de Mexicali (Sempra) power plant located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the southeast; PEMEX oil storage facilities 2.5 miles (4 km) south; cattle farm and meat packaging plant (Su Karne) 3 miles (4.8 km) east; and Central Termoelectrica La Rosita (Intergen) power plant 4 miles (6.4 km) east. Also, there are two smaller waste tire collection sites to the south: Innor at 1.4 miles (2.2 km) and Llanset at 2 miles (3.2 km). In 2004, the State Council of Population (CONEPO for its Spanish acronym) estimates that the population within an eight mile radius of the Centinela WTCS totals 26,714 people, distributed as follows: Poblado Emiliano Zapata, which comprises La Rosita and Colonia Progreso with 106 people; Centinela Quinta Seccion with 40 people; Centinela Tercera Seccion with 171; Colonia Centinela with 212 people; Ejido Heriberto Jara with 75 people; Poblado Heriberto Jara with 481 people; Delegacion Progreso with 5,392 people; and Delegacion Santa Isabel with 20,237 people (Image 2). According to the Baja California State Educational System, there are 31 schools with an attendance of approximately 6,146 students within eight miles of the Centinela WTCS.
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Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico BorderOctober 1, 2004
Image 2. Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site and nearest populated areas.
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Site Description The Centinela site is bounded by the Centinela Mountain to the north and west, a site access road on the south, and the aqueduct road 1.4 miles (2.2 km) to the east. There are no structures and no fence at the site (Image 3). The site can be accessed by traveling over the desert by four-wheel drive vehicles. The entrance is located at the Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct road (Image 4) and marked by three wood posts (Image 5). One mile from the site entrance, there is a 2-ft. high berm discouraging access (Image 6). Electric power transmission lines run parallel to the aqueduct road within one mile of the site. (Image 6) The site is a landfill. In addition to tires, the site includes other trash and refuse, such as paper, glass, porcelain, textiles, furniture, plastic, and oil containers (Image 7). Indigenous desert flora surrounds the site. Desert sand and rocks cover the entire site. The Centinela site is located 10 miles (16.5 km.) west of the main population center of Mexicali, and 2 miles (3.5 km) west of La Rosita, which is the nearest populated area.
Image 3. View of Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site showing there are no structures and no fence at the Site (3/17/04).
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Image 4. The entrance to the site is on the west side of the aqueduct access road, located one mile to the east of the site (3/17/04).
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Image 5. Entrance to the Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site (3/17/04). Sign legend: “Private property. No trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted”.
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Image 6. View of the Centinela WTCS access road showing the 2-ft. high berm (3/17/04).
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Image 3. The entrance to Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site Image 7. Southwest view of the refuse material at the Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site (3/17/04).
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Tire Piles
At the Centinela site, there are several distinct groupings of tires, which are not organized into piles. Tires are stored directly on the soil. The tires are spread out over a 35.67-acre area. The site ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 miles (0.64 to 0.96 km) long and 0.3 to 0.5 miles (0.48 to 0.80 km) wide. On average, tires do not exceed a height of 1.0 meter (3.28 ft). Tires are up to 3 meters (9.84 ft) deep in the natural washes (Image 8). The site resembles a large horseshoe shape with the north-south axis being the largest portion of the site (Image 9). There is no fire control equipment at the site. (Attachment B) According to the site visit conducted by the binational project team on March 17, 2004, the number of tires at the Centinela site is 1,261,652 (Attachment A, page 4). In comparison, the Autonomous University of Baja California estimated 1.2 million tires in March 1999, and Baja California Civil Protection estimated 1.3 million tires in February 2004.
Image 8. View of tires stored in the natural washes of the Centinela WTCS.
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Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico BorderOctober 1, 2004
Image 9. View of Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site from 300 feet high, on the South side of the Centinela Mountain looking towards the East (3/17/04).
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Fire Prevention Fire Potential: The site contains flammable tires and other flammable refuse, such as paper, plastic, and textiles. During the site visit, evidence of several past fires was seen. The fires burned in different areas of the site. The most recent fire occurred approximately 4 years ago. It burned the upper northwestern portion of the site. According to information provided by Mexican officials during the site visit, it is believed that waste material in the landfill ignited and burned the adjacent tires (Image 10). There is no evidence of major ignition sources. (Attachment D) There is no firefighting equipment at the Centinela Waste Tire Collection Site. Additionally, there are no water sources, such as water storage tanks, lagoons, lakes or rivers that could be used as secondary firefighting resources. The site does not have fire control heavy equipment, which could be used to separate the burning tires from the rest of the tires. If a fire started, there is the potential for it to spread through the entire site, because there are no discrete piles dividing the tires. Image 10. View of a burned area. The rust colored material in the foreground is steel belt material left after the tires burned (3/17/04).
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Local Fire Response Capabilities: The Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration is the main response agency for an emergency at the Centinela site. The first emergency response contact would be through the Emergency Response Center, C4, by dialing 066. The C4 would contact the nearest Fire Station, No. 14, located on Camino Nacional and Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas, Colonia Santa Isabel. Fire Station 14 is 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) away from the site. The estimated response time would be 20-30 minutes. The Santa Isabel Fire Station staffs four firefighters, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Fire Station No. 14 has one fire engine with a 750-gallon capacity. The unit carries foam and water. The Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration consist of 229 staff members4. There are 23 fire stations and an Emergency Response Center in the City of Mexicali. The local fire authority has the following total response resources in the City of Mexicali5: 37 Fire Engines 22 Ambulances 05 Commands 01 Lighting unit 01 Hazardous Material unit 01 Truck with ladder tower 11 Rescue units 02 Telesquirt 05 Patrol cars 02 Tractor-trailer trucks 05 Transportation units 01 Fire hydrant units Other Fire Fighting Options: The Imperial County Fire Department could provide support to the Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration in case of an emergency at the Centinela site, because of a Mutual Aid Agreement signed on July 9, 1999 between Imperial County, California, and the City of Mexicali, Baja California. The estimated distance from this response agency to the Centinela site is 18 to 20 miles (29 to 32 km), and the response time is 40-60 minutes. Recommendations: The recommendations described below could be implemented at the Centinela WTCS to minimize the potential of a fire at the site. The recommended measures are technical and operational standards required by the California Integrated Waste Management Board for any facility storing 500 or more waste tires outdoors. Although not required for this site, they represent good management practices:
1) Waste tires should be restricted to individual piles, which include stacks and racks of tires that do not exceed 5,000 square feet (464.5 square meters) of contiguous area. Any pile should not exceed 50,000 cubic feet (1,415 cubic meters) in volume or 10 feet (3.05 meters) in height.
2) Waste tires should be separated from vegetation and other potentially flammable materials by no
less than 40 feet (12.19 meters). Accessible fire lanes should be provided between tire storage units. Access to fire lane(s) for emergency vehicles must be unobstructed at all times.
3) The site should be fenced and security staff should be working at the site.
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4) An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) should be developed by the local fire authority in conjunction with local, state and federal Mexican agencies to establish an overall emergency response strategy. Additionally, a multi agency exercise is encouraged to ensure that deficiencies in response activities are identified.
5) Communication equipment should be maintained at the site to ensure that the security staff can
contact local fire protection authorities in the event of fire.
6) Adequate equipment to aid in the control of fires should be installed and maintained at the site at all times. Security staff should be trained. At a minimum, the following items should be maintained on site:
• One dry chemical fire extinguisher • One 2½ gallon (9.45 liters) water extinguisher • One pike pole at least 10 feet (3.05 meters) in length to separate burning from non-
burning tires • One round point shovel and one square point shovel
7) An adequate water supply should be available for use by the local fire department. The water
supply should be capable of delivering at least 1000 gallons (3,780 liters) per minute for duration of at least three hours and at least 2000 gallons (7,560 liters) per minute for duration of at least three hours.
8) An access road to the site should be maintained that is drivable for the emergency equipment at all
times.
9) Unauthorized access should to be strictly controlled. One approach would be to enhance the dirt berms to prevent vehicles from dumping.
10) Consider an agreement with the TDM power plant (SEMPRA) for emergency water supply.
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Project Overview: U.S. and Mexico officials have been working together to identify and characterize waste tire collection sites along the border in order to develop strategies for fire prevention and mitigation and to plan for response actions. As part of the U.S.-Mexico effort to protect the environment and health of border communities, a binational project team visited the Centinela Waste Tire Collection site on March 17, 2004. During the visit, the project team gathered information in order to perform a fire risk assessment and to evaluate the vulnerable population nearest to the site. The following site audit forms were completed during and after the site visit, and are attached to this report:
1) Site Audit Check List: This form is divided into five main sections, including contact summary, site history, location, overview of the site and surroundings, and fire prevention and response. (Attachment A)
2) Site Overview: This form is used to gather geographical and physical information about the site.
A GPS unit is used to capture the coordinates and elevation of site entrances and other features. The form includes a description of the site, including the perimeter, containment fencing, entrances and exits, buildings and equipment, housekeeping, pile configuration, evidence of past fires, ground topography, nearest water bodies, and physical conditions in the vicinity of the site. (Attachment B)
3) Site Environs: This form documents the local area around the site, such as transportation
infrastructure, highways, types of land use, water bodies and other natural features. (Attachment C)
4) Fire Prevention, Mitigation and Response: This form captures facility communications
equipment, facility staff and staff responsibilities and working locations. Also, information about on-site fire control equipment and names and locations of all nearby fire response agencies is included in this form. (Attachment D)
5) Tire Pile Measurements: This form captures tire storage information that allows the calculation
of the volume of tires present. (Attachment E) Below is a description of the organizations that participated in the site visit to the Centinela Waste Tire Collection site.
ORGANIZATION PARTICIPANTS
The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC)
Elizabeth Ramirez Sara Ojeda Maria Ysabel Marquez Gabriela Lozano Pedro Gonzalez
Baja California State Civil Protection Administration Raymundo Noriega Guillermo Wells
The Federal Attorney General for Protection of the Environment (PROFEPA)
Daniel Yañez Barbara Monroy
The Mexicali Government Department of Ecology Directorate Sergio Lopez Martinez Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration Amner Alonso
Luis Carlos Vasquez Science Applications International Corporation John Evans
Rafaela Drummond
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REFERENCES: Sources:
1) Baja California State Civil Protection Administration (2004)
2) INEGI Mexico: 2000 data
3) U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Census
4) Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration: 2002 data
5) Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration: 2002 data
ATTACHMENT A SITE AUDIT CHECKLIST
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment A, page 1
Date: March 17, 2004 Site Name: CENTINELA
Inspectors: Sergio Lopez, Elizabeth Ramirez, and Rafaela Drummond
CONTACT SUMMARY
Inspector Contact Information: Sergio Lopez Martinez Ecologia Municipal Phone: (686) 556-0636 / (686) 557-5882 Interviewee Contact Information: There are no personnel working at the Centinela site. Agency / Phone / Address Site Owner / Operator: State Solid Waste Office: Local Solid Waste Office: Fire Department: HazMat: Other:
A collective of local farmers owns the land on which the tires are located. The collective is known as The Farmer Association and consists of the residents of the Ejido Emiliano Zapata. Ecologia del Estado. Phone: (686) 566-2268 Ecologia Municipal. Phone: (686) 556-0636 / (686) 557-5882 Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection: (686) 561-8212 / (686) 561-8232 PROFEPA. Phone: (686) 568-9260 / (686) 568-9266 Baja California Civil Protection Administration. Phone: (686) 557-2850 / (686) 555-4998
Notes From Above: Site Operations (Status) Active (Permit No.): Attendant (Hours): Closed: Abandoned:
There is no active permit. There are no personnel working at the Centinela site. Officially, the Centinela site has not accepted waste tires since 1993. The site does not have active management. Legal jurisdiction and responsibility for the land belongs to the collective landowners. Responsibility for the waste tires resides with the State Government Ecology Department.
Regulatory Agency: Ecologia del Estado Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director Phone: (686) 566-2268
ATTACHMENT A SITE AUDIT CHECKLIST
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment A, page 2
SITE HISTORY Current Owner / Operator
Owner / Operator: Permit No. / Status: Period of Operation (Dates): Period of Tire Disposal (Dates): Source(s) of Tires:
The site does not have active management. Legal jurisdiction and responsibility for the land belongs to the collective landowners. Responsibility for the waste tires resides with the State Government Ecology Department. There is no current active permit. Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department, was unable to locate any official documentation of the Centinela waste tire collection site. According to a 2002 study by the Baja California State University, the site officially accepted waste tires from 1985 to 1993. 1985 to 1993 Tires accepted from the entire State of Baja California.
Complaints Community Group(s): Government Agency: Other Agency / Individual: Media Attention:
Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department, was unable to locate documentation of any complaints about the Centinela waste tire collection site.
Enforcement Action(s) Agency: Pending Action: In Process: Completed: Resolution:
Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department, stated that there are no current legal actions in process.
Notes From Above:
Previous Owner / Operator Owner / Operator: Permit No. / Status: Period of Operation (Dates): Period of Tire Disposal (Dates): Source(s) of Tires:
The landowners and operator, described above, has remained the same during the entire period of operation. No formal permit issued. 1985 to 1993 1985 to 1993 Tires accepted from the entire State of Baja California.
ATTACHMENT A SITE AUDIT CHECKLIST
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Complaints Community Group(s): Government Agency: Other Agency / Individual: Media Attention:
Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department was unable to locate documentation of any complaints about the Centinela waste tire collection site.
Enforcement Action(s) Agency: Pending Action: In Process: Completed: Resolution:
Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department stated that there are no current legal actions in process. There is no available documentation of any past legal actions, if any.
Notes From Above:
LOCATION Facility Street Address: The facility has no official address Facility Mailing Address: Correspondence should be directed to Daniel Delgadillo, Deputy Director of the State Government Ecology Department at Boulevard Benito Juarez No.1, Mexicali, B.C. Directions to Facility (from major road): Take Highway 2, west towards Tijuana, approximately 16.5 km (10 miles from Mexicali), then take a right turn on the road that goes to the Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct. Travel approximately 0.9 miles (1.2 km) past cemetery. The entrance to the site access road is marked with three vertical wood posts and a two-foot high dirt berm across the entrance. Follow the dirt road for approximately 1.0 mile to concrete spillway, then cross two-foot high berm and travel another 0.4 miles to south end of the site. The road winds around site to the west. Maps and Reference Information Attached (list): A site map is provided in the accompanying summary report (Images 1 and 2). Tax Assessor’s Parcel Number: Not obtained.
Site Coordinates Latitude / Longitude: Easting / Northing: Geographical Datum and Projection:
32° 36’ 43.0” N / 115° 41’ 22.3” W WGS 84 North American Datum
ATTACHMENT A SITE AUDIT CHECKLIST
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Nearest Receptors Residential: School / Day Care: Water Supplies: Commercial: Agriculture: Transportation Routes: Other:
The nearest populated area (La Rosita) is approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) to the east with an estimated population of less than 100 people. Another small unnamed residential area and a cemetery are located 1-2 miles (1.6-3.5 km) from the site. 31 schools with 6,146 students are located within 8 miles of the site. The City of Mexicali water distribution system supplies water to the urban areas of Delegacion Progreso and Santa Isabel. Smaller populated areas use water tanks. There is an irrigation canal system for the farming areas. Roadside restaurants and convenience stores located 2-3 miles from the site. Light agricultural activities (e.g., palm tree farm). No food crops observed. The main transportation route is the Mexicali-Tijuana Federal Highway 2.
General Area Location (USGS Quad Name / Scale): Ejido Emiliano Zapata and Heriberto Jara (Delegacion Progresso). Nearest Urban Areas: The nearest populated area (La Rosita) is approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) to the east. Another small, unnamed residential area is located 1-2 miles (1.6 -3.5 km) from the site. The next nearest populated areas are Delegacion Progreso and Santa Isabel located 6-8 miles to the east.
OVERVIEW AND SURROUNDINGS Site Structures: There are no structures on the site. Site Boundaries: The site is bounded by the Centinela Mountains to the northwest, site access road on the south and west and the aqueduct access road on the east.
Tire Piles Number of Piles: Number of Tires: Pile Arrangement: Pile Dimensions: Tire Turnover:
There were distinct groupings of tires but they were not organized into piles. The tires were spread more or less evenly over the entire ground surface. According to the site visit conducted by the binational project team on March 17, 2004, the number of tires at the Centinela site is 1,261,652 (Attachment E). In comparison, the Autonomous University of Baja California estimated 1.2 million tires in March 1999, and Baja California Civil Protection estimated 1.3 million tires in February 2004. No piles. Tires were spread out over the ground surface. No lateral dimensions. Tires spread out about 1 meter in height. None.
ATTACHMENT A SITE AUDIT CHECKLIST
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FIRE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE Fire Mitigation Plan - YES or NO (explain): No. The Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration does not have a written fire mitigation plan.
Fire Fighting Capabilities (Describe): There is no fire control equipment at the Centinela site. Nearest response capabilities are described below.
On Site Fire Extinguishers: Location/Type(s): Water Supply: Foam: Dirt/Soil:
There are no fire extinguishers at the site. There are no fire extinguishers at the site. There are no water storage tanks at the site. Nearest water supply is TDM power plant 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the southeast. There is no foam equipment at the site. There are no piles of dirt or soil specifically designated for firefighting purposes at the site. The soil under the tires and adjacent to the site is sandy and could be used to bury fires if necessary.
Nearest Responders Location: Distance to Site: Response Time: Capabilities: Staffing:
The first emergency response contact is made through the Emergency Response Center, C4 by dialing 066 (911 in the U.S.). The ERC may contact the nearest Fire Station, which is Fire Station No. 14, located in Santa Isabel. Fire Station No. 14 is 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) away from the site. The estimated response time is 20-30 minutes. One fire engine with a 750 gallon capacity. The fire engine carries water and foam. Fire Station No. 14 staffs four firefighters, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS Emergency response vehicles would have difficulty accessing the site during a fire because there is a 2-ft high dirt berm on the access road.
REFERENCES Attachment Use this space to reference additional documents generated during inspection:
Use Photo No(s) to reference any photographs taken to the site photo log. Add Positions (Latitude / Longitude / Elevation) where applicable.
ATTACHMENT B SITE OVERVIEW
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment B, page 1
32° 36’ 52.7 N / 115° 39’ 40.2” W The site ranges from 130 to 175 feet (40 to 53 meters) above sea level. The entrance is located at the aqueduct road and is marked by a 2-ft. (0.61 meters) high berm, three wood posts and no fence.
Secondary Entrance(s): Latitude / Longitude: Elevation: Description:
There is no official second entry. There is no fence. Access may be gained by traveling over the desert by four-wheel drive vehicle. The site ranges from 130 to 175 feet (40 to 53 meters) above sea level There is no second entry.
There is no fence surrounding the tire pile site. There is no fence. There is no fence. There are no gates surrounding the tire pile site. There are no easements at the tire pile site. There is no security such as guards, cameras, electronic systems or alarms at the site.
3. SITE MEASUREMENTS Photo No. Tire Pile Storage Area: Length: Width: Shape of Area:
The site is between 0.4 and 0.6 miles in length and runs from north to south. The site is between 0.3 and 0.5 miles in width and runs from east to west. The site resembles a large horseshoe shape with the north-south axis being the largest portion of the site. There are also several very small groups of tires scattered around the perimeter of the main tire pile. The tires are spread out over a 35.67-acre area.
ATTACHMENT B SITE OVERVIEW
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4. SIGNAGE Photo No. List number, types and locations of signs: A “No Trespassing” sign is located at the entrance from the aqueduct road. No signs describing ownership or other signs around the tire storage area were found.
5. HOUSEKEEPING Photo No. Describe Site Conditions: The site is a landfill and contains trash and refuse in addition to tires including paper, glass, porcelain, textiles, and other debris.
Porcelain toilets, automobile glass, furniture, oil containers, papers, and textiles. The majority of trash was broken glass. No animals were observed during the site visit. However, site access is unrestricted. Desert animals may frequent the site. No insects were seen. Some paper was seen around the site. Indigenous desert flora surrounds the site. Most brush was alive but stressed, or was dried out. No other kinds of refuse were observed at the site.
Desert sand and rocks are visible throughout the site. Some gravel of mixed sizes was observed in places. However, most rocks were natural and not brought to the site by people. The site was on a relatively level desert floor with an elevated portion at the foot of the Centinela Mountain. Some washes run through the northern part of the site.
Liner: Material: Condition: Coverage: Other:
There is no liner at the site. There is no liner. There is no liner. There is no liner.
ATTACHMENT B SITE OVERVIEW
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment B, page 3
The site undulates with the natural slope at the foot of Centinela Mountain and with the washes (arroyos) running through the site. There are no potholes at the site, but the site is located on unimproved desert floor surface. There was no standing water on the site. However, washes run through and near the site. There are no water bodies located on the site. Several washes (arroyos) run through the site.
The tires are not stored in rows. Instead, they have been thrown to the sides of the access roads. There are no pits dug by operators, but some shallow depressions and uneven desert surfaces exist at the site. The tires are randomly spread out and range from 0.5 to 1.0 meter (1.64 to 3.28 feet) in height.
Pile Separation: No piles are apparent. The tires are just spread out over a large area.
8. EVIDENCE OF FIRES Photo No. Document Evidence of Fires: Describe: Evidence of past fires was seen in different areas of the site. The most recent fire occurred approximately 4 years ago (1999 or 2000). The fire burned the upper northwestern portion of the site. According to information provided by Mexican officials during the site visit, it is believed that waste material in the landfill ignited and burned the adjacent tires.
9. UTILITIES Photo No. Describe On-Site Utilities (overhead / buried): Power Lines: Telephone Lines: Fuel Pipelines: Water Pipelines:
The nearest power lines run 1.2 miles (1.9 km) to the East. There are no telephone lines at the site. Baja Norte natural gas pipeline runs parallel to Highway 2, 1.5 miles south. Fuel pipelines from the PEMEX facility run 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the south. No water pipelines are located adjacent to or within the site. The Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct is 2 miles (3.2 km) north.
10. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS Photo No.
REFERENCES Attachment Use this space to reference additional documents generated during inspection: Use Photo No(s) to reference any photographs taken to the site photo log. Add Positions (Latitude / Longitude / Elevation) where applicable.
ATTACHMENT C SITE ENVIRONS
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment C, page 1
Date: March 17, 2004 Site Name: CENTINELA
Inspectors: Sara Ojeda and Maria Ysabel Marquez
1. ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES Photo No. Roads Leading Into Facility (description): Number of Lanes: Road Surface: Condition: Traffic Load:
There is only a one-lane road into the site. Dirt Dirt road is in fair condition and can be accessed by high clearance vehicles. Additionally, there is a 2-ft high dirt berm. Very light
Roads Surrounding Facility (description): Number of Lanes: Road Surface: Condition: Traffic Load:
Federal Highway 2 located one mile (1.6 km) to the south with two lanes each way. 1.4 miles to the east is the access road to the Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct. Federal Highway 2 and the access road to the Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct are paved (asphalt). Both roads are in good condition. The traffic load is from light to medium.
2. SURROUNDING LAND USE (RECEPTORS – EXPAND FROM AUDIT CHECKLIST) Photo No. Types of Land Use: Residential: Commercial: Industrial: Municipal: Agricultural: Public Services: Schools / Day Care:
The nearest population is 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east and is known as La Rosita, with an estimated population of less than 100. Roadside restaurants and convenience stores are located 2-3 miles from the site. There are industrial facilities in the area: the Termoelectrica de Mexicali (Sempra) power plant located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the southeast; PEMEX oil storage facilities 2.5 miles (4 km) south; cattle farm and meat packaging plant (Su Karne) 3 miles (4.8 km) east, and Central Termoelectrica La Rosita (Intergen) power plant 4 miles (6.4 km) east. Also, there are two other waste tire collection sites to the south: Innor (1.4 miles) and Llanset (2 miles). There is a cemetery. Yes, limited (palm tree farm), no apparent food crops. None According to the Baja California State Educational System, there are 31 schools with an attendance of approximately 6,146 students within 8 miles (13 km) of the Centinela WTCS.
ATTACHMENT C SITE ENVIRONS
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment C, page 2
Undeveloped Land: Ground Cover: Natural Features:
Southwestern North American Desert with local vegetation including: Mesquite and gobernadora, Palo Fierro, Agua Muchil, Yucateco (Yucca) Generally flat desert. Site is at the foot of the Centinela Mountain. Part of the site is on gradual slope and in washes.
3. TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE Photo No. Land Features: Flat sand and clay washes. Hills and mountains in distance.
Environment / Ecosystems: Desert
Rainfall Amount: Approximately 2 in (50 mm) per year.
4. WATER BODIES Photo No. Describe Water Body Features: Type of Water Body: Water Body Use: Condition: Distance to Facility: Flood/Drought Susceptibility:
There are no water sources, such as water storage tanks, lagoons, lakes, rivers or other bodies of standing water. Water could be accessed from TDM power plant. Power plant cooling system. Not investigated. TDM power plant is located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the south. Area is considered desert. Drought conditions predominate. Local area is susceptible to infrequent periodic flooding from seasonal heavy rain.
5. EVIDENCE OF PAST FIRES Photo No. Fire History: Source of Ignition: Area (Acreage) Burned: Fuel Supply:
Evidence of past fires at the site. (See site overview).
ATTACHMENT C SITE ENVIRONS
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment C, page 3
6. UTILITIES Photo No. Describe Utilities (overhead / buried): Power Lines: Telephone Lines: Fuel Pipelines: Water Pipelines:
No power lines run through the site. There are power lines running from the local power plants to the northern borderline, 1.2 miles east of the site. No telephone lines run through or adjacent to the site. Baja Norte natural gas pipeline runs parallel to Highway 2, 1.5 miles south. Fuel pipelines from the PEMEX facility run 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the south. No water pipelines are located adjacent to or within the site. The Rio Colorado-Tijuana aqueduct is 2 miles (3.2 km) north.
7. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Photo No. Vehicles entering the site must have high clearance due to high berms installed to block traffic from the site. Emergency response vehicles would have difficulty accessing the site due to the berms as well.
Populated area (La Rosita) is approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) to the east, and another small unnamed residential area and cemetery are located 1-2 miles (1.6-3.2 km) from the site. Thermoelectric power plants are located within 5 miles to the east. Cattle farm is located 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east.
REFERENCES Attachment No. Use this space to reference additional documents generated during inspection: Use Photo No(s) to reference any photographs taken to the site photo log. Add Positions (Latitude / Longitude / Elevation) where applicable.
ATTACHMENT D FIRE PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND RESPONSE
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border Octobeer 1, 2004 Attachment D, page 1
There are no radios/telephones at the Centinela site. There is no communication equipment onsite.
2. ONSITE STAFF Photo No. Front Office Staff Number of Personnel: Locations Within Site: Hours: Personnel On Call:
There is no front office staff at the Centinela site. There is no onsite office staff at the Centinela site. There are no personnel working at the Centinela site. There are no personnel working on call for the Centinela site
Tire Pile Staff Number of Personnel: Locations Within Site: Hours: Personnel On Call:
There are no personnel working at the tire pile site. There is no onsite staff at the tire pile site. There are no personnel working at the tire pile site. There are no personnel working on call for the Centinela site.
Additional Facility Staff Number of Personnel: Locations Within Site: Hours: Personnel On Call:
There are no additional facility staff at the Centinela site. There are no onsite additional staff at the tire pile site. There are no additional personnel working at the tire pile site. There are no additional personnel working on call for the Centinela site.
3. ONSITE FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT Photo No. Primary Firefighting Equipment Fire Extinguishers: Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no fire extinguishers at the Centinela site. There are no fire extinguishers.
Fire Hydrants: Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no fire hydrants at the Centinela site. There are no fire hydrants.
ATTACHMENT D FIRE PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND RESPONSE
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border Octobeer 1, 2004 Attachment D, page 2
Fire Hoses: Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no fire hoses at the Centinela site. There are no fire hoses.
Foam: Distance to Tire Piles:
There is no foam equipment at the Centinela site. There is no foam equipment.
Other: Distance to Tire Piles:
There is no fire control equipment at the Centinela site.
There is no fire control equipment.
Secondary Firefighting Equipment Heavy Equipment: Locations: Distance to Tire Piles:
There is no fire control heavy equipment at the Centinela site. There is no onsite fire control heavy equipment. There is no fire control heavy equipment.
Water Supplies Water Storage Tanks: Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no water storage tanks at the Centinela site.
Lake(s): Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no lakes at or next to the Centinela site.
Canal(s): Distance to Tire Piles:
There are no canals at the site, but the Rio Colorado aqueduct is two miles north.
Other Firefighting Equipment There is no firefighting equipment at the Centinela site.
Other Related Features (lightning rods, wind socks): There are no wind socks or any other features at the Centinela site.
4. ONSITE FLAMMABLE MATERIALS Photo No. Note Distance to Tire Piles for Flammable and Combustible Materials (1)
Tires and landfill waste are mixed together. Waste disposed of in the landfill is potentially flammable.
5. FIRE HAZARDS Photo No. Note Distance to Tire Piles and Describe (1)
Waste disposed of in the landfill is potentially flammable.
ATTACHMENT D FIRE PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND RESPONSE
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border Octobeer 1, 2004 Attachment D, page 3
6. NEAREST FIRE RESPONSE Photo No. Fire Department: Contact(s): The first emergency response contact is made through the Emergency Response Center, C4, dialing 066 (911 in the U.S.). The ERC may contact Fire Station No. 14, located in Santa Isabel.
Name/Phone/Address: Fire Station 14: (686) 554-6450 / Address: Camino Nacional y Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas S/N, Fraccionamiento Los Milagros, Mexicali, B.C.
Distance to Tire Piles: Response Time: Capabilities: Mutual Aid Partners:
The estimated distance is 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) driving distance. The estimated response time is 20-30 minutes. Equipment: One fire engine with a 750 gallon capacity. The fire engine carries water and foam. Firefighters: Four firefighters, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Imperial County Fire Department, located in Imperial County, California.
Fire Department: The Imperial County Fire Department would be able to provide support to the Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration, because of a Mutual Aid Agreement signed on July 9, 1999 between Imperial County, California, and the City of Mexicali, Baja California.
Contact(s): Fred Nippins, Imperial County Fire Chief/Emergency Services Coordinator
Name/Phone/Address: Phone number: (760) 482-2420 Address: 1078 Dogwood road, Suite 101 Heber, CA 92249
Distance to Tire Piles: Response Time: Capabilities: Mutual Aid Partners:
The estimated distance is 18 to 20 miles to the site. The estimated response time is 40-60 minutes. Not collected for this report. Mexicali Fire and Civil Protection Administration
7. INGRESS / EGRESS Photo No. Describe Available Access Routes for Fire Fighting Equipment Take Highway 2, west towards Tijuana, approximately 16.5 km (10 miles from Mexicali), then take a right turn on the road that goes to the aqueduct. Travel 0.9 miles (1.2 km) past cemetery. The entrance to the site access road is marked with three vertical wood posts. Follow the dirt road for approximately 1.0 miles to concrete spillway, then cross two-foot high berm and travel for another 0.4 miles to south end of the site. The road winds around site to the west. NOTE: Emergency vehicles cannot enter site by themselves, due to high berms. Earth moving equipment is needed to relocate dirt forming the berms prior to entry.
ATTACHMENT D FIRE PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND RESPONSE
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border Octobeer 1, 2004 Attachment D, page 4
8. ONSITE MITIGATION Photo No. Berms (substance, coverage, material): The sandy soil at the site could be used to bury fires if necessary.
Grading (wastewater / storm water) Drainage: The site is located on a natural slope in the foothills of Centinela Mountain. The mountain is 2,300 ft high. Numerous washes and uneven terrain are present at the site.
Brush and Debris Abatement (schedule): No brush or debris abatement occurs.
9. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS Photo No. The site is an old landfill without any oversight. Officially, the Centinela site has not accepted waste tires since 1993. Waste tires are mixed with other types of wastes.
10. RECOMMENDATIONS Photo No. See summary report for recommendations (page 12)
REFERENCES Attachment Use this space to reference additional documents generated during inspection:
Use Photo No(s) to reference any photographs taken to the site photo log. Add Positions (Latitude / Longitude / Elevation) where applicable.
ATTACHMENT E TIRE PILE MEASUREMENTS
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preventing Waste Tire Pile Fires on the U.S./Mexico Border October 1, 2004 Attachment E, page 1
Date: Inspector: John EvansSite Name: Centinela - Unburned Tire Piles
(2) Rectangle (1) Dist. Wheel (1) 92.5 (1) 90 (5) MixedL x W x H (2) Meas. Tape (2) 7.5 (2) 0
131,080.7 (3) GPS (3) 0.0 (3) 10(4) GIS (4) 0.0
Shapes and Volume Formulas:(4) Cone
Pile Condition: (1) Clean (2) Debris (3) Vegetation (4) Buried (5) Mixed (1) Prism (2) Rectangle - Cube (3) Pyramid ⅓ (π R2 H) (5) Trapezoid ⅓ (L x W x H) L x W x H ⅓ (L x W x H) ⅓ (π R1R2 H) ½ L x (W1 +W2) x H
Tires Type: (1) Passenger (2) Truck (3) Other
Tires per Volume: (1) Passenger {10 / m3} (2) Truck {5 / m3} (3) Other {2 / m3}
* A Garmin E-Trex GPS was use to collect data on the tire pile by walking completely around the perimeter of the tire pile site. The area was caluclated using ESRI GIS v8.3 application from data collected using the GPS. The volume of tires was calculated by multiplying the area of the site times the average tire pile height (0.9 m) as determined by observations and using the tape measures. This method was used due to the irregular shape of the t`
Totals 1,261,652
0
131,080.70
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sea Level 1,261,65232° 36' 52.7" N 115° 39' 40.2" W1
