Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

October 10, 2025

DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 10, 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:

-10,276,203 gallons of liquid wastes recovered

-6,360,375 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal

-22,400 feet of containment boom laid

-4,873 bales of sorbent material

-Over 450 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 efficiency of oil recovery with new equipment, including drum skimmers, rope skimmers, and five marsh excavators.

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.

EPA continues to follow recommendations from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding safe boating operations, and as such, has paused work on the river due to high water conditions.

EPA and its supporting agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, investigated a reported sheen south of Lee's Landing in the Tangipahoa River and Lake Pontchartrain using aerial drone overflights. There was no indication of sheen in the river, past EPA's containment booms, or on Lake Pontchartrain. EPA, the U.S Coast Guard, and LDEQ will continue to investigate reports of sheen associated with the Smitty's Supply fire response in the river and the lake.

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 over 1,500 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:

-Loranger High School football game: Friday, October 10, 6 - 7:30 pm

-Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Saturday, October 11, 8 am - 5 pm

-Roseland Dollar General: Saturday, October 11, 10 am - 5:30 pm

-Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Sunday, October 12, 8 am - 5 pm

-House of the Rock Church: Sunday, October 12, 9:45 am - 5 pm

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 continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's websiteCLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE.Exit EPA's website

U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA continues to conduct sampling of ditches, ponds and the Tangipahoa River at the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA. The results will help us learn more about what pollutants could be in the water and sediment. 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: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update

For more information: https://spgv.io/6186B9B2Exit EPA's website

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE.Exit EPA's website

X:

@EPA: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update

For more information: https://spgv.io/6019B9BvExit EPA's website

CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOSTExit EPA's website.

@EPA Region 6: EPA continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE.Exit EPA's website

Media Availability

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