Mining has occurred in the Uniontown Syncline (coal basin) in Fayette County, Pennsylvania for over one hundred years. The thirty-year old Percy Mine Fire, a legacy of past mining, underlies approximately fifty acres on the eastern flank of the Uniontown Syncline. To establish how to extinguish the fire, it was necessary to understand the geology and the fire's potential, if left unabated. The Pittsburgh Coal was extensively mined in the basin with interconnecting mine workings extending from Uniontown on the south to Connellsville on the north. Three mine pools, flooding most of the underground workings, are defined within this basin. The coal in the center of the basin can not burn in its current submerged condition. Along the rim or outcrop zone, the mine workings rise out of the mine pool and extend to the outcrop where they become susceptible to burning. This zone encompasses a perimeter of outcropping coal encircling the syncline. The Percy Mine Fire, lies within this perimeter. It has been a threat to the health, safety and welfare of those living near and over the fire and effectively lowers property values of those living in the vicinity of the fire.