(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department have spent the majority of the evening fighting a fire at the Plymouth County Landfill located about two miles northeast of Le Mars. Firefighters were called to the landfill at around midnight and are still there yet this morning. Smoke can still be seen for a few miles. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says heavy construction equipment will need to be called to the scene to help cut-off the burned area from the area not yet affected by the blaze.
Schipper says the massive size of the landfill makes it difficult to get the fire completely under control.
The Le Mars Fire Chief says the main focus was to protect the Plymouth County Landfill equipment as landfill staff assisted with the efforts to combat the fire. Schipper says firefighters were not only battling the fire, but the snow and cold weather as well.
Schipper believes the fire may have started as a result of spontaneous combustion.
Schipper says they are awaiting word from the Plymouth County Landfill Board of Directors to determine their next move. He says there are also some environmental concerns that need to be considered.
As mentioned, firefighters have been on the scene at the county landfill since midnight last night.
photos contributed.
