Centralia Mine Fire
Warning!
The area encompassed by the Centralia mine fire is extremely dangerous.
Walking and/or driving in the immediate area could result in serious injury or death. There are dangerous gases present, and the ground is prone to sudden and unexpected collapse. DEP strongly discourages anyone from visiting the immediate area.
A Brief History of the Centralia Mine Fire
(Borough of Centralia, Columbia County)
February 1996
Chronology May 1962
1962 to 1978
- State and Federal governments expend $3.3 million ($10.8 million in 1994) to control fire with limited results.
1979 to 1982
- The United States Office of Surface Mining (OSM) acquires 34 impacted properties and contracts for a study to determine its potential to spread.
- DER (i.e. DEP) initiates air quality monitoring program.
1983
- OSM study estimates that $663 million is required to extinguish fire.
- A vital transportation link, Route 61, suffers severe subsidence damage from fire. DER stabilizes roadway at a cost of approximately $0.5 million
1984
- U.S. Congress appropriates $42 million for voluntary acquisition and relocation of impacted businesses and residences due to dangers caused by fire (i.e. subsidence & noxious gases).
- Grant administration ceded to the state.
- Previously acquired properties transferred to Commonwealth.
1985 to 1991
- 545 residences and businesses acquired and residents moved.
Jan 1992
- The Centralia Task Force, with authorization from OSM, utilizes condemnation procedures to acquire properties and relocate remaining residents. This action is taken due to threat from noxious gases and subsidence.
1992 to 1993
- Condemnation procedures initiated against remaining 53 properties.
- Property owners file preliminary legal objections to this action.
- Borough, as owner of minerals located under the municipality, brings suit against "de facto" taking of coal by condemnation.
- Route 61 closed indefinitely due to fire damage.
1993 to Present
- Fire continues to spread.
- Total expenditure of funds is approximately $40 million ($53 million in 1995 $).
- County court denies property owners' objections (February 1994) and decides against Borough (November 1993).
- State Supreme Court also rules against property owners (September 1995) and Borough (December 1995).
- Federal grant's expiration date is currently set at December 31, 1997. This coincides with Commonwealth agreements' termination dates.
Comparison of Impact & Costs (February 1996)
- Impact
- 1962
- Population of 1,100
- 545 Families and Businesses
- 1996
- Population of 46
- 20 Families
- Costs
- Total
- $30,802,640 (Relocation)
- $4,702,758 (Administration)
- Per Capita
- $28,002 (Relocation)
- $4,275 (Administration)
- Per Household/Business
- $51,529 (Relocation)
- $8,629 (Administration)
Current Commonwealth Services (February 1996)
Department of Community Affairs
- Public Works Administration.
- Demolition of Vacant Structures.
- Population Relocation
Department of Environmental Protection
- Environmental Impact (i.e. Quarterly On-Site Monitoring of Fire)
