Deep Burning Fire is Cause of Smoke at Sleeping Giant Mountain

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A team from the Geology and Petroleum Department along with rangers from the Forest Department on Saturday, June 19, trekked to the Sleeping Giant mountain range to ascertain what was causing a constant plume of smoke to be rising from the area. The team, which was accompanied by guides and cut men from the nearby village of St. Margaret’s, managed to make their way to the site where the smoke was emanating from.
After careful inspection, it was determined that there was no evidence of any geological activity at the site. There were also no gases normally found at geothermal vents or fumaroles. Radiation levels were also found to be at a normal range.
It was determined that the smoke was being caused by a deep smoldering detritus fire, possibly ignited from a lightning strike at the site. This is believed to have occurred around the 8 of June.
A release from the Government Press Office states, “the area is located on top of a ridge comprised of Paleozoic non-volcanic basement rocks and is covered by a thick mat of detritus or decaying organic matter and dead trees which are fueling the continuous slow-burning or smoldering. At the time of the visit, the area affected was approximately 100 meters long and 40 meters wide. The Forest Department is monitoring this slow-burning fire to determine the best course of action.”