By AP/KWMU
House Springs, MO – Environmental agencies are trying to extinguish a second mulch fire that is still smoldering in Jefferson County,
south of St. Louis.
The Environmental Protection Agency says earth-moving equipment is headed for Charlie's Scrap Metal in House Springs. Local contractors will cap the pile with nearly three feet of dirt. After the pile is extinguished, it will be dug and separated. The state of Missouri will also remove tires that are within the nearly two-acre pile.
Thick plumes of smoke have been rising from the pile for weeks. The EPA wants to get the smoke away from residents; area firefighters and emergency workers encouraged nearby residents to voluntarily evacuate the area.
If air quality tests show more danger, the evacuations might become mandatory.