Eastern State Hospital Landfill, Medical Lake

The order requires the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to complete: 

• An interim action to delineate and put out an underground fire ignited by the Gray Road Fire.
• A remedial investigation and feasibility study to confirm whether the historic unpermitted landfill has contaminated soil and groundwater and evaluate cleanup options, as needed. 

The plan describes how you will be informed and can comment during the cleanup process.​ You can learn more in the notice that was mailed to the community.

Learn more

• Review the draft Agreed Order and Public Participation Plan.
• Visit our Eastern State Hospital Landfill cleanup site page.

Next steps

Ecology will consider all comments received during this public comment period, which may cause changes to the draft documents. If the documents change significantly, we will hold another public comment period. We will hold a public meeting if 10 or more people request it. If no significant changes are made, Ecology will finalize the documents, and DSHS will begin the required work.

Site history

Washington state has operated the Eastern State Hospital since around 1891. Sometime before 1975, buildings were demolished and buried on the property. When the demolished buildings were buried, no solid waste regulations in Washington applied to this material, and landfilling was standard practice when buildings were torn down.

In August 2023, the Gray Road Fire burned in and around the Medical Lake community. After the Gray Road Fire was out, DSHS staff discovered the landfill was burning underground.

Spokane County Fire District 3 attempted to put the fire out with water for several months, which failed. Fire District 3 decided to leave the fire over the winter, hoping it would burn out. They reported the fire to Ecology. 

In the spring, the fire was still burning. DSHS removed trees, brush, and other ignitable material around the smoldering area. DSHS put clean soil over the smoldering area. This action has been successful at controlling emissions and reducing the risks posed from open flames.