Yulupa Elementary School Tire Chip Fire

1
Yulupa Elementary SchoolTire Chip Fire
2
Site History

• Approx. 5 years ago, a Texas manufacturer offered
  the Bennett Valley Union School District
  metal-free chips to be use in a playground as a
  demonstration project
• The district accepted the offer to show the value
  of recycled material

3
Site History (Continued)

• Sunday, August 3, 2003, at 330 PM, vandals lit
  the chip tire playground material
• Monday, August 4, 2003, Sonoma County LEA
  contacts Board staff
• Tuesday, August 5, 2003, Board Staff performed
  initial site investigation. Pungent odor from
  residual contamination noted
• Wednesday, August 6, 2003, Bennett Valley Union
  School District requested assistance and funding
  from the Board

4
Observations

• Fire residuals may pose an imminent threat to the
  students and facility
• Playground is no longer useable and strong
  chemical odor present around the structure
• Prior analysis of whole tire fire debris has
  shown material to be hazardous

5
Site Photographs
6
Nearest Home
7
Fire Area

8
Details

• Approx. 9 out of the 16 tons were involved
• Chipped tire depth is 3 to 6 inches over sand
• Contamination may exceed two feet below ground
  surface

9
Options

1. Collect data and Use the existing Environmental
   Services Contract to study environmental impacts
   of burned tire derived products in playgrounds
2. No Board Action at this time