A Department of Environmental spokeswoman says exploratory drilling indicates that an underground coal seam fire in Marion County is contained to an area that's venting smoke.
DEP spokeswoman Kelley Gillenwater tells WBOY-TV that preliminary estimates indicate the fire is at least 300 feet by 50 feet wide.
The fire is burning in an area adjacent to U.S. 250 in White Hall.
The DEP plans to discuss a preliminary reclamation plan with the property's owners once surveying and mapping of the fire is complete. Gillenwater says there's no way to determine how long the fire has been burning, but it likely has been years.
The DEP's Abandoned Mine Lands Office wants to identify the fire's extent so smoke can be eliminated. There are multiple homes and businesses in the area.