What is the best way to control deep fires in a sanitary landfill?

Controlling deep fires in a sanitary landfill is critical to preventing the spread of fire and minimizing environmental impact. The most effective method involves separating the burning refuse and digging a fire brake around it. This approach physically isolates the burning material from unburned refuse, creating a barrier that can help stop the fire from spreading further into the landfill. Fire brakes are effective because they disrupt the continuity of combustible materials, making it more difficult for the fire to extend beyond the already affected area.

The practicality of this method lies in its ability to halt the fire's progress without introducing additional hazards or complexities, which can arise from other methods. Furthermore, constructing a fire brake allows for better management of the situation, facilitating targeted containment and potentially enabling fire suppression efforts to be conducted safely.

While other options may have merit in specific circumstances, they do not offer the same level of containment efficiency as creating a fire brake. For instance, injecting water under the cover might not reach deep fires effectively, and smothering could be impractical for underground fires in a landfill due to the material's nature. Allowing the area to burn out could lead to significant safety risks and environmental concerns, including air quality issues from smoke and the possibility of the fire re-igniting. Thus,