In August 25th of 1999, a chemical fire broke out atop Seneca meadows landfill, requiring 75 firefighters from local fire departments to put it out.
In a declared state of emergency, the fire led to evacuations of nearby residents due to the potential for toxic smoke emissions from the burning waste.
Ignition was thought to have occurred from materials dumped there from the former Seneca Army depot in Romulus, NY.
Waterloo resident and evacuee William Atkachonis was quoted by the Post-Standard (Syracuse) (8/26/99): "I saw an orange, brown smoke, but no flames way up on top of the landfill. I am disgusted with the operation of that landfill."
The 1999 fire remains a prominent event in the ongoing discussions regarding the management and environmental impact of the Seneca Meadows Landfill.