In 2010 an underground fire broke out near the Bridgeton Landfill in Missouri. Recently reports have been released saying that the fire could possibly reach the area around the West Lake Landfill within three to six months. What makes the Bridgeton Missouri fire so different from any other underground fire is that it is progressing towards a large deposit of nuclear waste, which is near the West Lake Landfill, approximately 20 miles away from the city of St. Louis.

Around 1973, large quantities of nuclear waste were dumped into the West Lake Landfill. Many scientist and other officials have developed different theories on what might happen if the fire is to reach the nuclear waste. It has been suggested that a nuclear gas explosion is possible, which would in turn force residents into evacuation.

The EPA reportedly found radioactive waste beyond the point where it was originally assumed to be in the landfill. The waste is reportedly much closer to where the fire is heading.

Underground fires can produce potentially hazardous gases, for example; carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and known carcinogens can be produced by these dangerous fires.

Superintendents of the Pattonville, Orchard Farm, St. Charles, Francis Howell, and the Parkway school districts have sent home evacuation plans, if the toxic fumes are to break through the surface. GCAA administration has made no comments during press time.

People question why the underground fire simply hasn’t been put out already. While it would seem like an easy fix, excavating such a large area would be basically impossible. Not to mention digging towards the fire could release the toxic fumes quicker and also speed up the burning process to the surface. However, measures have been taken in response to contain the fire, caps have been put over the landfill in an attempt to keep the oxygen from seeping below the surface.

Despite these measures, Ed Smith of Missouri coalition for the Environment told Citylab.com that the waste will likely reamain dnagerous for apoxamentlay 9,000 years to come because of the particular combination of radioactive materails at theWest Lake Landfill.