Pennsylvania Mine Fire Facts

Here are some facts about mine fires currently active in Northeastern and Central PA

Archabald, PA Mine Fire ???? "NEW !!!!"

There is a possible mine fire burning in Archabald, PA near the Valley View High School. A brush fire has ignited the underground root system of the trees. The ground is smoldering and it looks like the center of the brush fire was an old stripping. Office of Surface Mining is looking into the matter and they are planning to dig a trench around the fire. It turns out that the fire is actually a peat bog that is on fire. A piece of heavy equipment was swallowed up when the ground underneath it opened up into a hole filled with hot ash. The District Forester warns all to avoid walking in the fire area as they could fall into a void and be burned alive. There are stripping pits in the area but at this time it is being termed an "Underground Forest Fire" as opposed to a "Mine Fire". A forest fire in the bog, in same area of Miner's Ridge in Archabald in the 1940's burned for four years. It is still possible for culm or a coal vien to ignite. The ground is very dry due to the lack of rain. OSM, DEP and Archabald Fire Department are monitoring the situation carefully. The forest fire has burned for 12 days so far.

Wayne Street Culm Bank Fire "NEW !!!!"

A fire has just been discovered burning in a culm bank near Wayne Street in Carbondale, PA. OSM people are on scene and a trench is being dug by heavy equipment around the fire.

Centralia Mine Fire

The most famous mine fire burning in PA. This fire started when garbage in a culm bank caught fire. The town was torm apart by factions of people who wanted to stay, wanted to move away, or the have the town relocated . Many homes have been bought by the fedral and state government and demolished. This summer, the last 80 or so people still living in Centralia must vacate their homes.

The Red Ash Mine Fire

This fire started on the property of the Red Ash Coal Company in Laurel Run, PA. The fire was discovered around 1915. The coal company took measures to put it out, such as sealing openings and flushing tunnels. They though it was out, unitil in 1922 it was in fact found that the fire spread to underground coal seams. It the 1960's people along the border of Wilkes-Barre Township and Laurel Run had to leave homes, schools,. shops and churches becuse of the fire. Smoke and stream vent from pipes along several holes that connect to the mines. The fire is still burning today. Steam and smoke can be seen from the valley below in several spots.

The New Jersey Coal Company Mine Fire

A fire broke out in the workings of the New Jersey Coal Company on top of Plymouth Mountain. This occured some time in the 1930's. It is thought to be out

The West Side Mine Fire

This fire has been burning off of Dundaff Street in Carbondale since before the 1960's. In the 60's people got sick from the carbon monixide gas and I believe one person died. Close to 600 families had to move out of the neighborhood over the years because of this fire. It is still burning and the site being worked by heavy equipment.

The Powderly Culm Bank Fire

Also in Carbondale, PA this fire is thought to be out. It was starting in culm banks at the former Powderly Colliery. This site has been dug up and watered down and no sign of fire has been detected for about two years. The fire may have spread to underground coal seams and evidence of it may not be visible.

Beaver Brook Mine Fire

A mine fire has been detected in the boro of Beaver Brook near Hazleton. The mine fire started when garbage dumped in a stripping pit was set on fire. Officials from the Office of Surface Mining called in heavy equipment to try to dig up the fire. It is not known at the time if the fire has spread to coal seams. This is the same way the infamous Centralia, PA fire started.

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