Situation
The infamous Camp Fire of 2018 devastated Butte County, California. It burned more than 150,000 acres of mountain terrain, damaged or destroyed more than 19,000 structures, and displaced more than 50,000 people. The devastating blaze also claimed 86 lives and caused $16.5 billion worth of damages.
Solution
The fire also left behind more than 1.5 million tons of debris and hazardous waste—everything from burned-out cars to melted cans of paint to mercury-in-glass thermometers. GBI was hired to help sort, load, and haul off metals, concrete, ash, and contaminated soil to various disposal sites located within 150 miles of the affected areas. When the weather cooperated, crews managed up to 500 trucks daily—a feat requiring carefully controlled logistics. GBI purchased GPS units for every truck, enabling drivers to take the most efficient routes, achieving the loop times necessary to optimize production, ensuring hundreds of truckers operate at safe speeds throughout the operation, and minimizing traffic impacts to the community.
Notable
In total, the cleanup effort employed more than 1,000 operators and laborers along with utilizing the skills of local residents to aid in cleanup efforts. This provided jobs to those in need, while working together as a community to rebuild and persevere. Throughout our 100-year history, GBI has gone above and beyond to help communities in times of crisis. From wildfires to floods to volcanic eruptions, GBI has mobilized its crews and equipment to assist first responders and help with disaster recovery and cleanup efforts.
Project Details
Awards
2020 ASCE Project of the Year
2020 UCON Safety Award for the “Most Unique Safety Project”
2020 ENR California’s Best Projects Award of Merit
