Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

October 7, 2025

DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 7, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty's Supply facility on August 24.

Response by the Numbers:

• 9,826,677 gallons of liquid wastes recovered
• 6,112,000 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
• 22,400 feet of containment boom laid
• Over 415 EPA and contractor personnel deployed

Accomplishments to date include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; installing earthen dams, booms and rainwater collection around the site to contain runoff; deployed boom and sorbent material in ponds and the Tangipahoa River to capture contaminated runoff; and increased the recovery rate of oily material. EPA is also continuing to conduct additional sampling of the river, ponds, and ditches in the area to increase the amount of information and data we have about the range of pollutants that are present in the water and sediment.

EPA appreciates the continued coordination and response efforts of our state and local partners and the cooperation of residents as our recovery efforts continue.

Cleanup Operations

EPA's cleanup operations in the Tangipahoa River are focused on flushing oily waste in the river downstream to established collection points where it is removed and placed in containers for disposal. At the ponds, crews are working 24 hours a day to contain and recover oily wastes.

EPA has increased the rate of oil recovery with new equipment, including six drum skimmers, rope skimmers, and five marsh buggies.

EPA crews at the Smitty's Supply response have been working to manage recent significant rainfall, including installing stormwater control measures, fortifying ditches, and building underflow dams to prevent material from reaching the river. The plan included a controlled release of stormwater from the Smitty's Supply facility to move across the road and into the ponds adjacent to the site. EPA operations crews confirmed runoff was contained to the ponds and did not reach the Tangipahoa River.

For the safety of residents and response crews, operations at the facility and ponds require Highway 51 near the Smitty's facility to remain closed to allow the safe movement of trucks, rigs, frac tanks, and other large equipment. EPA appreciates the continued understanding and patience of residents in observing this important safety measure.

Community Engagement

EPA has met with hundreds of community members and answered their questions at regular office hours and events. Residents are invited to continue engaging with our response staff at the upcoming events listed below.

Community Office Hours:

• Amite Dollar General: Tuesday, October 7, 1-5:30 pm
• Amite Public Library: Tuesday, October 7, 2-5 pm

• Amite Community Center: Wednesday, October 8, 10 am - 2 pm
• Ponchatoula Public Library: Wednesday, October 8, 10:30 am - 2 pm
• Hammond Public Library: Wednesday, October 8, 2 - 6:30 pm

• Amite Senior Center: Thursday, October 9, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
• Amite Public Library: Thursday, October 9, 10 am - 1 pm
• Amite Community Center: Thursday, October 9, 2 pm - 5:30 pm

• Ponchatoula Public Library: Friday, October 10, 9 am - 12:30 pm

• Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Saturday, October 11, 8 am - 5 pm
• Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on FacebookExit EPA's website, XExit EPA's website, InstagramExit EPA's website, or visit our homepage.

Online Resources

Visit EPA's response website for regular updates, including sampling results, cleanup progress, field photos, and an interactive story map: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

Social Media Highlights

Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on FacebookExit EPA's website, XExit EPA's website, InstagramExit EPA's website.

Facebook:

U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA is continuing to host community office hours around Tangipahoa Parish this week. Come out for updates and information on the Smitty's Supply fire cleanup. For most recent updates please visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website.

U.S. EPA South Central Region: U.S. EPA extends a big thank you to Tangipahoa Parish community members for your support of EPA and our state and local partners during the Smitty's Supply fire cleanup response! We are working hard every day to clean up the Tangipahoa River to help return life to normal in the parish. A special thank you to Miss Charlene for letting us use your property as a staging area for our oil recovery efforts. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Every day, EPA is leading efforts in response to the Smitty's Supply Fire. In lockstep with our state and local partners on the ground, EPA is working to restore the impacted areas and protect human health and the environment throughout the Roseland community. Follow updates here: https://spgv.io/6189B52JExit EPA's website

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website.

X:

@EPAregion6: U.S. EPA extends a big thank you to Tangipahoa Parish community members for your support of EPA and our state and local partners during the Smitty's Supply fire cleanup response! We are working hard every day to clean up the Tangipahoa River to help return life to normal in the parish. A special thank you to Miss Charlene for letting us use your property as a staging area for our oil recovery efforts.

To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOSTExit EPA's website.

@EPAregion6: EPA is continuing to host community office hours around Tangipahoa Parish this week. Come out for updates and information on the Smitty's Supply fire cleanup. For most recent updates please visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOSTExit EPA's website.

@EPA: Every day, EPA is leading efforts in response to the Smitty's Supply Fire. In lockstep with our state and local partners on the ground, EPA is working to restore the impacted areas and protect human health and the environment throughout the Roseland community. Follow updates here: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website.

CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOSTExit EPA's website.

Media Availability

For interview requests or to coordinate site visits, contact Jennah Durant at [email protected].