A chicken manure fire inside a litter shed in Accomack County is still smoldering and burning after igniting close to two weeks ago. The manure ignited due to spontaneous combustion. Charles Pruitt from the Department of Public safety, as well as Supervisor Dist.7 Laura Belle Gordy have responded–Public safety has contacted Tyson Foods who has stated has plans “to deal with it”. According to DEQ regulations, there apparently is no immediate solution. The fire cannot be doused with water and it cannot be spread out to cool the embers.
At last report from Public Safety Director Charles Pruitt, he has contacted the owner, who has begun the process of breaking down the pile. On site,the metal pieces have been removed from the pile, but the manure is still smoking heavily and could be detected up to 3 or 4 miles away.
Editor’s Note: The Mirror would not have been able to report this story without the help of Miriam Riggs, who was our boots on the ground, providing professional updates, images and data over a week long period. Many thanks to Miriam.
The basic chemical explanation involves microbial activity, which, by its nature, produces heat and methane gas. Heat is also produced at the boundary between moist and dry litter. Given this scenario, overheating and spontaneous combustion may occur as temperatures climb above 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, when dry litter comes in contact with moist litter, the dry litter absorbs moisture, causing more heat to be released, and when the piles are large, the amount of heat released can be significant. Within the bins or sheds, if the piles are constrained, heat cannot escape; overheating may result, and as in this case, catch fire. When manure is removed from the pile, it may burst into flames when exposed to air.
As of this report, the exact cause of the combustion is not known.
Currently, Accomack County is hoping to add up to eighty more similar poultry operations, and Northampton, though on a more limited basis, is also courting chicken farming. As intensive farming operations increase in number and size, our localities should invest in more training for our local firefighters and emergency responders on how to best interact with these types of incidents, as techniques and approaches may seem counter-intuitive (that is, dousing it with water may make it worse). As Northampton moves forward on bringing intensive poultry farming to the County, it should take note here. Due to the normal chemical interactions associated with large manure storage facilities, fires such as this are not uncommon.
Why in the world would we want to encourage this in Northampton County?
Because the people of Northampton County eat chicken eat 3-4 times a week, 52 weeks a year. There is something very wrong with any group of people that wish to eat chicken, each week, but are unwilling to support the industry that provides the chickens.
Mr. Bell, there is your nonsensical statement again. Please explain how it is wrong for a group of people to hope for a sustainable diet while maintaining a clean environment. Please enlighten us.
If you can not understand that simple statement, I am not willing to help you. I have been holding a mirror up to others for 48 years. It is a rare human being that can look into that mirror and tell me what they really see.
Exactly the answer I expected from you. Interesting that in a few articles back, I did the courtesy of answering the question(s) you asked of me. But it seems the demagoguery of your world only allows for rudeness and short, flippant non-statements and non-answers. Continue to wallow in the misery of your self-imposed non-functioning and threatened world. For the rest of us, we live life for its challenges and the solutions to solving those challenges. Good day sir…and we shall never speak of your foolish statements again.
Mr. Bell, Rather than trying to stop poultry industry expansion in Accomack County, I would like for emphasis to be placed on good zoning regulations for poultry operations. My main interest in sharing any information here is that we need certain setbacks for poultry manure sheds so that they are not a health and safety hazard to their neighbors. I would like to see a 1000 foot setback from a commercial poultry manure shed and any nearby residence. These regulations are being reviewed now in Accomack County, and new legal setbacks will soon be enacted. All Eastern Shore residents should now be considering what appropriate setbacks would be, based on their own living situations, and those of their neighbors.
Thanks for listening,
Miriam Riggs
Tina, After all the time we spent together and all the chicken we ate together, there is no need to call me Mister!
No comment?
A very good question to put to your Northampton Board of Supervisors. Why? Indeed.
I eat steak, too. Doesn’t mean I want a pile of burning cow poop in my front yard.
I am quite sure the topic is poultry. I bet you blame Bush every time Obama’s failed leadership is mentioned.
Wow!!! Talk about off-topic!
Deleted awaiting actual identity
Stuart Bell needs to get a life.Editor: We agree with Mr. Bell.
Care to leave your ‘Real’ name? If not, run along and ‘play’…
Stuart Bell, do me the courtesy of answering my question. If you don’t, can I assume you have no answer? And if so, please don’t make this statement again. It has no substance.
If you can not understand that simple statement, I am not willing to help you…..you are welcome to ‘assume’ anything you wish but do not forget a couple things.
1) To do so makes an a$$ out of U and Me.
2)Look over that log before you leap.
Naw…just you. I can “Safely” assume you are just one step ahead of troll status. And as for as that log you like leaping over, you’re all bark… no bite. As in no intended informational value. I’ll pass on a “real” answer from you. Folks like you, I don’t need any “help” from.
Lawd Sake Chilluns……….Dem fried yard-birds sure am good!