Northfield is coated in a layer of smoke today due to a fire at the Rice County Landfill.
Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson said firefighters were called to the landfill late yesterday afternoon after the fire was reported. Nelson said he, in consultation with Faribault Fire Chief Dusty Dienst, decided, due to the difficulty of reaching the fire and potential danger to firefighters, to let the fire burn itself out.
Around 7:30pm, NAFRS firefighters returned to the landfill with approximately 15,000 gallons of water to reinforce a fire line that had been built.
Because the fire is so hot, and covers such a vast area – Nelson said it’s burning on more than 100 yards of garbage. – there is little that can be done to put the fire out.
Regulators and consultants are currently looking at the situation. The fire is contained at the moment, and a plan is being put together to keep it contained.
A statement issued by Rice County this morning said only licensed garbage haulers will have access to the landfill today.
This is a developing story. KYMN News will report more information as it is made available.