A wall of smoke rises from large hills of mulch at the Hope Agri Poducts, Inc. plant in New Willard.
Mulch Fire Attracts 4 Different VFDs, NEW WILLARD, August 15, 2010 - At approximately 5 pm on August 15, 2010, a large fire was reported from the Hope Agricultural Products, Inc. off Loop 116 in New Willard. According to sources, large hills of mulch can catch fire on hot days. The heat beneath the surface gets so intense that it can ignite. This was allegedly the case. Firemen and trucks from Livingston, Scenic Loop, Onalaska, and Alabama Coushatta converged and teamed up to get the smoldering fire under control. Heavy smoke filled the air in the vicinity of the fire making it difficult to breathe without a breathing apparatus. One of the things that make this a stubborn and formidable fire to extinguish is the fire burns beneath the surface of the mulch. This isn't the first time, fires have ignited at the same plant several times in past months. The fire was extinguished by around 7 pm.
Special thank you: Assignment Editor, Stash Anderson
Fire trucks and teams of men attack the difficult fire.
The smoke is so thick that breathing is difficult without the aid of a breathing device.
Putting out a mulch fire is an arduous task as the fire smolders beneath the surface. Smoke in this picture can be seen seeping from under the mulch.
A fire truck from Onalaska (left) and Scenic Loop get men and equipment in to help put out the burning mulch.
EMS Personnel from Americare stood by while more firemen make their way to the fire.
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