IN MID-NOVEMBER OF 2002, A JOHNSTON, RI LANDFILL, WHICH HAD BEEN CONTINUOUSLY SOMOLDERING FOR MONTHS, ERUPTED INTO OPEN FLAME. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT SOUGHT ASSISTANCE OF THE EPA REMOVAL PROGRAM IN ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS POSED BY THE FIRE AND IN HELPING TO CONTAIN THE SITUATION. BECAUSE THE OWNER OF THE SITE WAS IN JAIL AND REFUSING TO GRANT ACCESS TO EPA PERSONNEL, AND BECAUSE IN THE PAST THE OWNER HAD PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED A STATE INSPECTOR, EPA DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SECURE A JUDICIAL WARRANT FOR ACCESS TO THE SITE. EPA REFERRED THE MATTER TO DOJ AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DOJ ATTORNEY IN D.C. AND THE US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN PROVIDENCE, RI, SECURED THE WARRANT ON NOVEMBER 22, 2002