Fire crews from across the area respond to a fire at the Republic Services Landfill located just south of Cherryvale.

 

Crews from multiple departments were called to the scene around 3pm on Thursday, March 26. Witnesses in the area reported seeing a large fire in the north end of the landfill with heavy smoke showing. Landfill fires can be difficult to extinguish because they often burn deep underground, creating subsurface smoldering fires similar to coal seam fires that are insulated from water. They are fueled by vast, compacted, and methane-rich waste, Adding to the difficulty were yesterday's high winds. Crews doused the fire and were able to clear the scene by about 6pm.

 

Cherryvale Fire & Rescue and Cherryvale Rural Fire responded to the call along with assistance from crews from the Liberty, Independence, Neodesha, Coffeyville, and Dearing Fire Departments along with Independence Rural Fire and the Coffeyville Resources Fire Department.

 

No injuries have been reported.