In the wake of recent reports about the May fires in Potter County circulating online, the City of Amarillo cautioned residents about information “being discussed or quoted without giving the public the full context” of the complex, emergency event.
The City of Amarillo issued the following statement Monday, July 13 regarding ongoing landfill fire reviews and information:
“The City of Amarillo recognizes the significant impact the landfill fire has had on residents, families, and first responders. We understand why our community is seeking answers and remains committed to a thorough review of this incident. The city appreciates the community’s desire for clarity and accountability following this serious incident.
“A number of formal reviews have been underway since the incident and remain ongoing. The city is conducting a thorough operational investigation/review of landfill practices, including issues raised in the notice of violation issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well as landfill operations generally. The Amarillo Fire Department is preparing an after-action report on the city’s firefighting response, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting its own investigation into the incident. These efforts are intended to better understand the incident, evaluate landfill operations and emergency response, identify lessons learned, and improve the city’s preparedness for future emergencies.
“City leadership has been made aware that small portions of the released information are being discussed or quoted without giving the public the full context of the entire event described in the information. The city encourages the public to read any such released information or reports carefully and understand that it reflects only a part of the overall situation and does not include the complete context of all the conversations, decisions, and operational details involved in this complex emergency event.
“Because the city of Amarillo is committed to a full review of this matter, the city cannot responsibly comment on specific operational issues while those processes are underway. As these reviews are completed and legal constraints allow, the city intends to share as much information as it responsibly can with the public. In the meantime, the city remains focused on cooperating fully with all investigating agencies and on protecting the long-term interests of the Amarillo community.”
Should additional information become available, the city said it will provide updates as appropriate but will have no further comment at this time.
Kristina Wood is managing editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, whose coverage includes Amarillo and Canyon, and into the Texas Panhandle. Have a story idea? Send it in at newmedia@amarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: City of Amarillo says formal reviews still underway for landfill fire
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
