A fire burning in Deerfield Township is now believed to be the result of combusted coal mine refuse, also known as a “gob fire,” after an investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources last week.
Portage County Emergency Services is monitoring the air on and surrounding the burn site and said at this time it poses no threat to the public. Spokesperson McKenzie Villatoro said they are asking people to remain away from the site of the fire for their safety.
Because of the burn site’s location adjacent to an unpermitted landfill, an EPA Superfund site and abandoned strip mine, it was not initially clear what kind of material was burning or for how long. The affected area is on private property at the intersection of state routes 224 and 225…