Burning Coal Country: What Pa. DEP has to say about underground fires in Schuylkill

Part 2 of our exclusive series "Burning Coal Country," investigating a mine fire in Schuylkill County that's received a lot less attention than its infamous neighbor in Centralia. 69 News Reporter Rob Manch looked for answers from the Pa. DEP.
BUTLER TWP., Pa. - Once we hiked out to the fire in Butler Township and saw how much smoke was coming out of the ground, we immediately wondered how much the state government knows about it, but after reaching out to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, we learned several of our questions couldn't be answered.
From the Right to Know request, we know that the Girardville fire has been burning for at least 19 years, so we wanted to find out how far it extends underground, and what's being done about it.
Watch all 4-Parts of this series at WFMZ.com: www.wfmz.com/news/area/pocono...
Continue reading the full story at WFMZ.com:
www.wfmz.com/news/area/pocono...
#pennsylvania

[@69NewsWFMZTV]

Watch all 4-Parts of this series at WFMZ.com: www.wfmz.com/news/area/poconos-coal/burning-coal-country-69-news-investigates-underground-fire-in-schuylkill-what-could-be-done-to/collection_92bfe52a-ad65-11ed-ab77-87ebd14cd445.html

[@DJ-bh1ju]

So, basically, the DEP doesn't know, and doesn't care, and won't let anyone else do anything about it. Won't lead, follow, or get out of the way....... Ain't government wonderful?????

[@joandondero1736]

I was born & raised in a small “patch” of homes outside of Shenandoah, on route going to Giardville. I only left the area, as others did, only to seek employment. But, there’s no place like home. Memories!

[@playhooky]

And if there are mine fires all over PA, then surely there are mine fires burning in other states too - which I haven't heard about but it seems logical!

[@coochie6094]

There's a mine fire burning under the west end of the "mile hill" in Ashland. I don't know if it's known about or not.

[@MclEckert]

This is fascinating, great work Rob!

[@dwaynestimpson5449]

in 50 years a large portion of PA will be unlivable. These mine fires are continuing to spread and nothing is being done about it. Very sad!

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

Sad is an understatement. Try CRIMINAL!

[@frankcoffey]

All these years power could have been generated from all that heat. If you can't put it out you may as well use the heat. I see a windmill in the background of one shot so there must already be power generation going on there and lines to transmit it.

[@EmersumBiggins]

Give Rob a raise so he can buy a jacket that fits 👍

[@lindaguy8720]

Same thing happening in ky.

[@charlesbusch8739]

Why does an adminstration whose major issue is climate change not put out the fire?

[@2001pontiacta]

I feel bad for the families that where born n raised there. I remember when ya back in the 90’s I was a young boy, n my dad n I would travel there this area to go to Bradford to a friends cabin. We all know this fire could be put out, anything can be done for the right amount of money.. I’d love to see it back to where people could live there again.

[@jeffreysokal7264]

Pennsylvania should be sued by the EPA (Federal government) for not extinguishing these fires. They are continually emitting large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, not to mention the CO.

[@GaydolfShitler]

I live very close and never heard of this

[@juderuzzi9018]

Im still shocked they aint influxed into the underground mine and let the water kill the fire. WHAT seven 8,000 gallon water Tankers a week. Certainly can not hurt

[@bitshtannicajohnson6957]

*"An if I win, I get another bowl of cereal" ~ "But if I win, I get... Diane!"*

[@ericglasgow1616]

If it's in the same coal seam it's going to burn till it burns out or they put it out

[@leeturner1838]

load coal!!

[@propheticswordnita3603]

Government interference, krpt this fire going