By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A section of the Wood County Landfill caught on fire Friday evening, sending black smoke billowing into the sky west of Bowling Green.
A motorist noticed the smoke around 7:15 p.m., and called Wood County Administrator Andrew Kalmar.
“Someone passing by on Route 6 called and said, ‘Your landfill is on fire,’” Kalmar said.
Firefighters from Weston and Washington Township fire departments responded.
“They were able to get to it pretty quickly,” Kalmar said. “It was likely whatever was just dropped off.”
Most likely it was something like embers from a burn barrel or fire pit that started the fire.
“It smolders in the landfill for a little while until it takes off,” Kalmar said.
To put out a landfill fire, the fire departments dig a big hole by the fire, “then they flood the area with water,” he said. No landfill equipment was damaged in the fire.
The fire was extinguished by 8:30 p.m., and fire crews were able to return to their stations.
“Our staff will stay around to make sure nothing else catches on fire,” Kalmar said.
Fires are rare at the Wood County Landfill, with this being the second one in about 20 years.
