Historic fire under Denniston Plateau

Reports of smoke rising from cracks in Denniston Plateau are due to an historic fire which poses little significant threat to the area, says Department of Conservation (DOC) Conservation Services Manager Bob Dickson.

“Low level underground fires have been burning on the Denniston Plateau for some decades.”

“The fires are the result of both historic mining activity and naturally combustive material under the plateau. These smouldering seams pose no significant threat and are generally left burn out naturally,” says Bob Dickson.

“Smoke becomes periodically visible due to shifts in air pressure within the underground system. This smoke is coming from an area that is several kilometres away from the Escarpment Mine site.”

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