Update: Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Update: Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Tangipahoa Parish re-opens Highways 51 and 10

October 24, 2025

DALLAS, TEXAS (October 24, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to oversee the Smitty's Supply fire cleanup response being carried out by Smitty's Supply and the State of Louisiana. Under a consent order with Smitty's Supply, the company took over the cleanup of the facility on October 15. At the same time, EPA issued a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) to the State of Louisiana to continue cleanup efforts on the Tangipahoa River and nearby ponds under EPA oversight.The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been performing the cleanup of the river and ponds as the state on-scene coordinator, working under EPA as the federal on-scene coordinator.

Today, Tangipahoa Parish is re-opening Highways 51 and 10. Motorists are advised by the parish to reduce speed and be aware of large vehicles coming from the site. Highway 10 may drop to one lane depending on the needs of current operations.

"With Tangipahoa Parish reopening the highways, the community takes a major step closer to getting back to a sense of normalcy after the Smitty's Supply fire," said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. "EPA appreciates the partnership with parish leadership, residents, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and other partner agencies as we worked together to protect human health and make significant progress on cleanup operations."

Accomplishments to date at the Smitty's Supply fire response include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; building earthen dams, setting booms, and installing rainwater collection systems around the site to contain runoff; deploying boom and sorbent material in ponds and the Tangipahoa River to capture contaminated runoff; and increasing the recovery rate of oily material. To date, no oily waste has migrated off-site or the ponds during the cleanup, including during multiple rain events over the past several weeks.

EPA will continue to monitor progress and remains committed to working with LDEQ to protect the health and safety of the Tangipahoa Parish community.

Cleanup Operations impacting the Tangipahoa River, EPA established stormwater control measures, fortified ditches, and built underflow dams. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will continue to evaluate and maintain these measures to ensure no oily waste from the ponds reach the Tangipahoa River.

Response by the Numbers

- 11,771,520 gallons of liquid wastes recovered*

- 8,015,983 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal*

- 103 EPA and contractor personnel deployed

- 279 LDEQ and contractor personnel deployed*

* based on daily amounts provided by LDEQ

Community Office Hours
EPA will continue to engage with community members at events and by going door-to-door.

-Dollar General Roseland, October 25, 11AM - 1PM

Community Engagement   

EPA has met with over 2,800 community members throughout Tangipahoa Parish and answered their questions during established office hours and other events that have taken place since September 12.

EPA has interacted with 476 residents through its door-to-door efforts since October 5.

Online Resources

Visit EPA's response website for sampling results, photos, an interactive story map, and updates on LDEQ's cleanup progress: 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. 

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: Earlier this week, EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator John Busterud came down to Tangipahoa Parish for an update on cleanup operations following the Smitty's Supply fire in Roseland, LA. Assistant Administrator Busterud recognized the importance of an efficient and safe cleanup, and attended a site tour, including an aerial overview by helicopter and a tour of the Smitty's Supply facility grounds. EPA is committed to protecting public health and the environment in affected communities, and we are grateful that Assistant Administrator Busterud took the time to visit the site. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: Check out this news coverage about Smitty's Supply consent order and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's Pollution Removal Funding Authorization. EPA remains committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: "When is the river going to open?" While canvassing Tangipahoa Parish in support of the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA, EPA Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) have heard your feedback! One of the most frequently asked questions from you addresses the closure of the Tangipahoa River. CIC Olivia Cappo explains why the safety of the cleanup workers and community members are at the heart of our mission to protect human health and the environment. Stay up to date on the latest information: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA continues to work closely with its state and local partners to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos of Pond D3 that show the progress being made removing oily wastes from the pond. EPA is committed to its mission of protecting public health and the environment and working with our federal, state, and local partners. 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 SHARE.Exit EPA's website

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update For more information: https://spgv.io/6186B9CYExit EPA's website

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U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA, in coordination with Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Tangipahoa Parish Government, continues to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos from the U.S. Highway 10 that show the progress made removing oily waste over the last month. EPA is committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.

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

U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA Community Involvement Coordinators have been all over Tangipahoa Parish answering residents' questions and providing information about the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA. We've heard your feedback and plan to post videos that cover topics based on your frequently asked questions. Check out this video for a quick overview, and remember to visit our hub site for the latest information: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire. We want to hear from you! To voice your concerns or questions, please contact us at: Phone: 800-533-3508 (toll free) or 214-665-6718 Email: [email protected]

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

Instagram:

@epa_southcentral: Earlier this week, EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator John Busterud came down to Tangipahoa Parish for an update on cleanup operations following the Smitty's Supply fire in Roseland, LA. Assistant Administrator Busterud recognized the importance of an efficient and safe cleanup, and attended a site tour, including an aerial overview by helicopter and a tour of the Smitty's Supply facility grounds. EPA is committed to protecting public health and the environment in affected communities, and we are grateful that Assistant Administrator Busterud took the time to visit the site. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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

@epa_southcentral: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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

@epa_southcentral: Check out this news coverage about Smitty's Supply consent order and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's Pollution Removal Funding Authorization. EPA remains committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.

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

@epa_southcentral: "When is the river going to open?" While canvassing Tangipahoa Parish in support of the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA, EPA Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) have heard your feedback! One of the most frequently asked questions from you addresses the closure of the Tangipahoa River. CIC Olivia Cappo explains why the safety of the cleanup workers and community members are at the heart of our mission to protect human health and the environment. Stay up to date on the latest information: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire

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

@epa_southcentral: EPA continues to work closely with its state and local partners to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos of Pond D3 that show the progress being made removing oily wastes from the pond. EPA is committed to its mission of protecting public health and the environment and working with our federal, state, and local partners. 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 SHARE.Exit EPA's website

@epagov: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update For more information: https://spgv.io/6186B9CYExit EPA's website

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

@epa_southcentral: EPA, in coordination with Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Tangipahoa Parish Government, continues to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos from the U.S. Highway 10 that show the progress made removing oily waste over the last month. EPA is committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.

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

@epa_southcentral: EPA Community Involvement Coordinators have been all over Tangipahoa Parish answering residents' questions and providing information about the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA. We've heard your feedback and plan to post videos that cover topics based on your frequently asked questions. Check out this video for a quick overview, and remember to visit our hub site for the latest information: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire. We want to hear from you! To voice your concerns or questions, please contact us at: Phone: 800-533-3508 (toll free) or 214-665-6718 Email: [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website

X

@EPAregion6: Earlier this week, EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator John Busterud came down to Tangipahoa Parish for an update on cleanup operations following the Smitty's Supply fire in Roseland, LA. Assistant Administrator Busterud recognized the importance of an efficient and safe cleanup, and attended a site tour, including an aerial overview by helicopter and a tour of the Smitty's Supply facility grounds. EPA is committed to protecting public health and the environment in affected communities, and we are grateful that Assistant Administrator Busterud took the time to visit the site. 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 REPOST.Exit EPA's website

@EPAregion6: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update. 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 REPOST.Exit EPA's website

@EPAregion6: Check out this news coverage about Smitty's Supply consent order and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's Pollution Removal Funding Authorization. EPA remains committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.

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

@EPAregion6: "When is the river going to open?" While canvassing Tangipahoa Parish in support of the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA, EPA Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) have heard your feedback! One of the most frequently asked questions from you addresses the closure of the Tangipahoa River. CIC Olivia Cappo explains why the safety of the cleanup workers and community members are at the heart of our mission to protect human health and the environment. Stay up to date on the latest information: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website

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

@EPAregion6: EPA continues to work closely with its state and local partners to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos of Pond D3 that show the progress being made removing oily wastes from the pond. EPA is committed to its mission of protecting public health and the environment and working with our federal, state, and local partners. 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 REPOST.Exit EPA's website

@EPA: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update For more information: https://spgv.io/6186B9CYExit EPA's website CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOST.Exit EPA's website

@EPAregion6: EPA, in coordination with @louisiana_deq and @TeamTangipahoaExit EPA's website, continues to address impacts from the Smitty's Supply fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out these before-and-after photos from the U.S. Highway 10 that show the progress made removing oily waste over the last month. EPA is committed to protecting public health and restoring the environment in affected communities. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: https://http://epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website.

@EPAregion6: EPA Community Involvement Coordinators have been all over Tangipahoa Parish answering residents' questions and providing information about the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA. We've heard your feedback and plan to post videos that cover topics based on your frequently asked questions. Check out this video for a quick overview, and remember to visit our hub site for the latest information: https://http://epa.gov/smittys-supply-fireExit EPA's website. We want to hear from you! To voice your concerns or questions, please contact us at: Phone: 800-533-3508 (toll free) or 214-665-6718 Email: [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHAREExit EPA's website.

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