Iowa City Officials: Landfill Fire Should Continue Burning for Several Days

The City of Iowa City has released more info that started on the rubber drainage layer Saturday evening and generated a huge plume of smoke that could be seen through much of the Iowa City area.

According to the city, the fire still burns and will continue to burn for several days. The fire started on the working side of the landfill where garbage had been dumped earlier that day.This fire then spread to the landfill's liner system that covers the garbage, which includes a layer of shredded tires to facilitate drainage.

At around 6:38 p.m. on Saturday evening the fire department was called to assist in containing the fire, rapidly spreading due to high winds. According to the release, as the fire began to spread, landfill staff used a bulldozer to cut a gap in the tire layer so the fire would not continue burning rubber. This successfully contained the fire from further spreading, but approximately three acres of landfill covering is still burning.

Aside from that, the city says there is nothing left to do but let the fire burn itself out.

According to the city, those in the path of the plume of smoke should avoid exposure if possible, especially the young, the old, and people with respiratory problems. A central air conditioning system in a home or business should provide adequate air recirculation to prevent health problems, according to the release. City staff is hoping strong winds over the next few days will help disperse the smoke.