Chapter 27 - Coal Fires of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Abstract

Coal deposits occur in the Pacific Northwest, so there is a potential for coal fires to occur. Although Washington and Oregon coals have a history of spontaneous combustion, the scarcity of coal fires appears to be due to the temperate rainforest climate in these states. The Green River underground coal fire is the only known burning-coal fire. Anecdotal information indicates that other coal fires and coal-waste pile fires occurred in Washington and Oregon.