Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, following the Smitty’s Supply fire. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to oversee these operations, which are being conducted by Smitty’s Supply and the State of Louisiana. Under a consent order, Smitty’s Supply assumed responsibility for cleaning up its facility on October 15. Concurrently, the EPA issued a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization to Louisiana to support cleanup efforts on the Tangipahoa River and nearby ponds.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is leading the river and pond cleanup as the state on-scene coordinator under EPA supervision. As part of these efforts, Highways 51 and 10 in Tangipahoa Parish have been reopened. However, motorists are advised to drive cautiously due to large vehicles exiting the site, and Highway 10 may be reduced to one lane depending on operational needs.
"With Tangipahoa Parish reopening the highways, the community takes a major step closer to getting back to a sense of normalcy after the Smitty’s Supply fire," said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. "EPA appreciates the partnership with parish leadership, residents, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and other partner agencies as we worked together to protect human health and make significant progress on cleanup operations."
Key achievements in addressing the Smitty’s Supply fire include extinguishing the blaze and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks. Measures such as building earthen dams, setting booms, installing rainwater collection systems around the site, deploying boom and sorbent material in ponds and rivers have been implemented to manage contaminated runoff effectively.
The EPA reports that no oily waste has migrated off-site or from ponds during recent rain events. The agency will continue monitoring progress while collaborating with LDEQ to safeguard public health in Tangipahoa Parish.
The cleanup operation has involved recovering over 11 million gallons of liquid waste and removing more than 8 million gallons for disposal. Approximately 103 EPA personnel alongside 279 LDEQ staff have been deployed for this task.
Community engagement remains a priority for EPA officials who have interacted with over 2,800 residents since September through various events including door-to-door visits. Upcoming community office hours are scheduled at Dollar General Roseland on October 25 from 11 AM to 1 PM.
For further updates regarding sampling results or photos related to LDEQ's cleanup progress visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire
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