Firefighters with Barrow County Emergency Services met with technical experts and management from a recycling center to discuss the best method of controlling a fire in a large mulch pile. After looking at options to control the fire, it was decided to turn the control over to Cowert Recycling.
"They are working to dig the large pile and separate it all," said Lt. Scott Dakin, spokesman for Barrow County Emergency Services. "From there the piles will be placed into a separator to further separate the burning mulch. This will allow the heat from the fire to be reduced which will eventually extinguish the fire."
Dakin said the cause of the fire was the degradation of the mulch with an inability to allow the heat to escape due to the size of the pile. According to Chief Investigator Blair Darst, the mulch is a cellulous material subject to molecular breakdown. As the breakdown occurs it emits heat. He said if the heat can't escape then the inside of the pile just gets hotter and then it spreads throughout the pile.
Dakin said if the need arises, firefighters will return to the scene of the fire.
The blaze was reported at a recycling center at 1185 Barrow Industrial Parkway around 7:15 Thursday morning.
"Upon arrival of Engine 7, firefighters found a pile of mulch that is approximately 38,000 cubic yards," Dakin said. "The pile was burning with smoke being visible from Highway 316."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/10/233033