Several Greene County volunteer fire departments assisted in battling a landfill fire in Carter County on Friday.
Volunteers and tanker trucks from the Mosheim, Town of Mosheim, St. James, Caney Branch and Tusculum volunteer fire departments responded to help shuttle water to the scene. Other volunteer departments from across the region also assisted.
The fire broke out in an area of the Carter County landfill used for demolition debris. As with similar landfill fires, officials believe the blaze likely started on its own due to improperly disposed materials.
Fire officials noted that items such as lithium-ion batteries can ignite when damaged or crushed. Those batteries can burn at extremely high temperatures and are difficult to extinguish once ignited.
Officials discussed plans to cover the smoldering debris with dirt on Saturday, then compact and wet it. That process would allow the fire to burn out naturally without spreading to nearby debris.
Large amounts of gravel were also brought in to provide stable support for fire trucks operating at the scene.
