Recommendation lifted for those living near landfill

5/4/2014

A recommendation for residents living near a burning landfill at Stickney Recycling in North Toledo was lifted today, but the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department said people with respiratory or health issues should continue to avoid contact with outside air.

On Friday health officials asked residents near the fire at the recycling plant at 4425 Creekside Ave., to stay inside as a precaution while the two-week-old fire burned. The burning material is primarily construction and demolition debris.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits any more waste from being accepted until a hearing on a permanent injunction is held on Tuesday.

Health officials said that while the fire continued to burn, conditions at the site improved enough Saturday night to lift the recommendation.The fire is not expected to be extinguished for at least a week.

Air monitoring has not turned up concerns related to health issues. Monitoring will continue for an undetermined period.

Stacy DeBruyne, spokesman for the health department, said a plan was developed to continue trying to put the fire out. She warned residents that digging to reach the flames could cause flare up of flames, smoke, and steam when water is poured on the area. The smoke and flames are expected to be short-lived, she said.