The Associated Press
HELOTES, Texas — State environmental officials hired a contractor Monday to help douse an enormous mulch fire that has been smoldering since late last month.
Oil Mop LLC will oversee the firefighting operation at the mountainous pile, estimated to be 800 feet long, 225 feet wide and 70 feet high when the fire began. The firefighting operation is expected to cost $1.75 million.
The company planned to begin work Tuesday and hoped to have the fire extinguished by Jan. 24, the company said. The mulch pile is owned by H.L. Zumwalt Construction Inc.
The fire’s cause is under investigation.
Officials and residents have complained for weeks about the fire, which has been at times created smoky conditions in the town northwest of San Antonio and spawned health concerns for residents with respiratory illnesses.
One expert warned the fire could take more than a year to burn itself out.