OLYPHANT - Nine years after a fire started burning at the Dolph Colliery coal mine, plumes of smoke still escape sections of rock.
The Department of Environmental Protection monitors the area, ensuring that the fence around the area is intact and the fire remains contained by a 3,200-foot-long trench.
On a clear day, smoke can be seen above the now-isolated underground fire, which started burning above ground in 2004. The U.S. Office of Surface Mining and DEP dug trenches as deep as 160 feet, part of a $9.4 million project in 2008, to contain the fire.
Though the fire continues, DEP is satisfied there is no danger to Olyphant residents or surrounding communities.
"There's not a chance of the fire moving beyond the trench," said Bernie Walko, planning unit engineer at the DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.
He declined to share how often the DEP is on site, citing concerns about vandalism of the fence, but said the agency is continuing to ensure the area is secure. He quickly dismissed questions about visible flames reported by some passers-by.
"I doubt very much that anyone is seeing anything from the Casey Highway and the lower portions of Olyphant," he said. "If someone responsible comes forward and sees something, we'll go in and investigate, obviously."
Jo Ann Jason, a resident and Olyphant councilwoman, said smoke can periodically be seen, but with no homes nearby, she wasn't worried.
Though she was satisfied with the corrective action taken in 2008, she said the situation was reminiscent of Centralia in Columbia County, where a mine fire that evicted nearly the entire town is still burning after more than 50 years.
"The only thing that would worry me is if it crossed the highway," Mrs. Jason said, although she didn't feel that was likely.
Another resident is not so certain.
Councilman Jerry Tully, who has been vocal about his concerns since the fire began when a stolen car was set on fire on the site in 2004, still worries about whether it will remain contained.
"I have an issue that I don't truly believe it's going to stay where it is," he said.
Mr. Tully still checks on the area and said he receives several questions about the mine fire each week.
"If I'm wrong, I'll be the first man to apologize," he said doubtfully, adding that he hopes to see professionals completely put out the fire. "I can't believe it's just going to burn itself out."
How long the fire will burn remains unanswered.
"Even our most knowledgeable mining engineers would hesitate to say," Mr. Walko said. "Every time we do get up there, it appears it's fine."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter