Centralia PA ~ The Underground Fire Still Burns (Since 1962)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- Facebook: The Wandering Woodsman
Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheWanderingWoodsman
Email: pawoodsman76@gmail.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 205, Womelsdorf PA 19567
Remember this all so well seeing this as a kid.
My great uncle was a town physician Dr Joseph Duffy married to Mary “Mamie” Demsko Duffy. They Bought and renovated the Murphy Stage Coach Inn where they build his practice in the 1940’s and raised three children . My dad spent much of his childhood there..As a kid we visited often the home was
Huge with a carriage house and horse barn that was used for breeding hounds. A
Back alley guests and coaches would bring on horses for rest feed and water.
The first floor was converted into a large waiting room and lab to the left to the right the living room and parlor a waiting room formal dining and kitchen . My aunts served patients and the family used the rooms during and after hours. After my uncles death the office and lab became a master suite and the home passed to my cousin.
He was bought out when the fires began. It was a shame to see such a historic home list to the fires . It’s gone now . A big part of our family history as well as the towns
Hey Cliff, came down Rt. 61 South from above Centralia driving the 18 wheeler. Something major happened back up on the Interstate and I was detoured by the state police. Followed 61 South right into the Reading branch of Maier's Bakeries who I drove for. That was one long drive through some small towns. Thanks for the walk. Too bad that some folks are so piggish and don't give a darn.
You're right. There are no words for all the ugly that people do.
Hey Cliff, don’t know if you’ll see this since you posted this about a year ago, but if you go back and visit those smoke vents in the winter (especially in heavy snow years) they crest their own incredible microclimates because they provide enough warmth for plants and mushrooms to grow abundantly around them regardless of the snow
Thank you for taking us along means a lot to me 😁
Hi Mary hope you’re okay?
Sad to see people being so disrespectful, dumping garbage like that..😠...Interesting to hear your version of Centralia Cliff, I've learned a fair bit about the place in the last while.. thanks for sharing! 😊👍
Hi Sharon hope you’re okay?
Its too bad people have to dump their trash here. Theyre just as trashy!!! So unreal the fire is still burning!!! But still plants are still growing. Thanks for not making it about graffiti highway!!!Awesome footage Cliff.
Thanks for showing me some things I couldn’t find on my Centralia day trip 👍🏻
Sad reminder of a terrible accident-but very interesting-I remember this story when I was a kid-thanks, Cliff!
1962, the year I was born. Now that's an old fire
I was also born in 1962. We are not "old" we are more experienced.
@@shimonsieskel4482 I'll go along with that
Thanks for sharing
Hi Diane hope you’re okay?
I left PA in 1971. Some of these are great reminders. I forgot how skinny most of the trees are. While you're around there, check out Pittston where miners went into the Susquehanna. Not much left but a rail car, but there should be a bronze plaque.
Wish you could have been with us the day we all went up but glad you made it and got to see it for yourself.
Thank you again Cliff, for showing me these things. I've heard JP mention Centralia and the highway, but somehow missed seeing the fires/smoke. I learn so much from you Cliff!! Enjoy and appreciate your quiet, calm, easy going way of exploring and videoing. I Never tire of listening to & watching you! Bless you young man, and keep safe!
Thankyou! It makes me ill to think man started this doozy of a underground fire. Sad. Coal was meant to stay underground .. learned a lot!
Coal was the main fuel of the Industrial Revolution. We needed it to get where we are today.
This is a good follow up to the other Centralia videos I"ve seen.
My family mothers side of the family is from Centralia. My great grandfather Thomas Miller worked in the mines. He was also a volunteer firefighter so he may have helped try to extinguish the fire. But I'm not sure about that. He died in 76. My great grandmother, Mabel Yaegar (Miller) left in the late 80s or early 90s. One of my great, great Aunts was one of the few holdouts still living in town. I'm not sure if she still does or if she has since died. But I remember driving there as a small child and seeing the smoke coming out of the ground. Creepy.
I live very close to this area and unfortunately many people are not originally from the area and also have residency outside of the state and Country, many of these people have no pride in our area and have no problem dumping their garbage not only in abandoned towns but they do it right on the streets where we live
Thank you for taking us along. It's amazing it's been burning this long. Stay safe
😊
I drive through Centralia once a year on our annual trip to Knoebels Amusement park for a camping weekend. Sometimes,there are no cars and no sightseers,other times cars are lined up all along the road. It's a shame all that trash is left there. Good video Cliff,I'll keep watching
I've been waiting to see my name on your list of supporters! I really enjoy your videos. I feel like a part of the adventures now.
Fly tipping the scourge of all countries,marring our beautiful countrysides. Interesting video.
Hi Anne hope you’re okay?
Nice video thank you. I heard about about Centralia in 1981. I'm surprised the fires are still burning.
I had a high school teacher who grew up there. He had great stories about the area.
John Cormaninsky?
Thanks cliff for showing this. Take care of yourself and stay safe.
Fire is following the coal seam as it burns. Wouldn't want to build any where near there or where that seam might go. Though build near and run a pipe to it and under the house might keep you warm in the winter.
Thanks Cliff, for the Centralia follow up.
WOW!
Another great video Cliff... I cant tell you how much I enjoy all your videos...They are so informative... Keep up the good work and be healthy and safe!!!
Looks like you're in the area my buddies and I occasionally go to do a little target practice. The trash is a damn embarrassment. Shame some of the locals are too cheap and arrogant to take their crap to the landfill.
I haven't seen as many cars parked in Centralia lately. Guess the loss of the Graffiti Highway has cost the place some of it's allure. Shame about that. Tourists brought revenue into the nearby towns. Some friends that were 4 wheeling up there the day of the big bonfire say drunken fools from NJ were responsible. Throwing rocks at the firemen who responded, clowns were lucky they didn't get shot. I admit I'm surprised some of the more industrious locals haven't started digging it back up, lol. Nice vid as always.
Thank for sharing. Haven't been up to Centralia in probably 30 some odd years
Such an interesting place. Even tho its a sad story. I love your wandering videos & stories. Thanks & be safe wandering!
Valentine's day 1981, Todd Domboski fell through his grandmother's back yard when the subsidence happened. His cousin pulled him out of the hole.
I so appreciate what you do!!! Be safe
Ugh! Crazy after 58 years! Very cool!
22 For a fire is kindled by my anger,
and burns to the depths of Sheol;
it devours the earth and its increase,
and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I live right near there and sadly yes local do dump a lot of crap but ive seen quite a few people from new jersey up in centrailia dumping trailer loads of trash all over the woods in the back of the town.
Why don't you call the police on them?
Everybody has a cell phone these days. Film those swine!
Fascinating stuff! I've learned a lot watching your videos over the last few weeks. I can see why you're a school teacher, and I like your humble/personable demeanor. Thanks for all of the awesome videos :)
Thank you for sharing Cliff!!! Great video!!!
Thanks for sharing your video and have a Good Weekend
Awesome job on this exploration!
Awesome video!!!! Thank you
liked video 👍😮
That is awesome!! Thanks for sharing this!
Wow, you found it. It's so crazy that it's still burning.
Thank you for another great video bub
What a fucking shame i cant believe its still burning to unreal !!!!
I'm from Asia and I really love your videos sir
Well that was fantastic. We do have a mountain in Australia that has the same problem but it is used as a tourist area. It’s such a shame people feel the need to dump their rubbish everywhere, it’s disgusting. Anyways thanks for taking me along I really enjoyed it. Stay safe
I remember seeing this years ago , but couldn’t remember where in the USA it was till I came across it recently, what a sad outcome for all the people who had to move out
I would let local authorities know about the trash and maybe they will put up cameras .Thanks for the great vids.
If you've ever driven through the coal regions in that area, it's not unusual.
I first learned about Centralia eleven years ago. Just the other day I was reading Bill Bryson's AT book, and he talked about Centralia. Then this video popped up in my notifications! It's rather sad to see how people are making a mess of the area, and to hear that the well-know section of closed highway is no more.
I'm pretty sure that we've never cleaned up that road, because it's outside of the town boundary.
I drove up there from Maryland to see it a couple months ago, didn't wander far off the road and didn't see any smoke but could smell it at times, didn't have time to go far. But saw lots of trash, absolutely disgusting pigs. I just can't understand how anyone can do such a thing.
Hi Cliff. Happy Friday!
It seems like the ground would start collapsing from the voids left by the burned coal.
It does in some spots.
It is so disgusting to destroy such a beautiful wooded are with all that trash. BTW, l love watching your videos. They fascinate me. Stay safe.
3:10 looks like a mine entrance, or a outcropping that has burned.
They fawt for years and finally the us gov condemed the properties and paid people to move out. The area was deemed unsafe to live. There were a few holdouts who still live in the town.
Interesting history Cliff! I looked up on Wikipedia about the history, total miss management of over the years since 1960's since the mishap happened. Makes you wonder if ever it will burn out. Would not like to be anywhere near that old mine let alone live there like the last few locals are. Does not warrant why people are making a rubbish tip of it though.
Hi Cliff, it's pretty amazing as to how much coal is possibly still down there and in the path of the fire. I'm guessing the fire won't go out anytime soon which is sad as it looks like a pretty area to live. Thanks for sharing this amazing area. xx
It could burn for hundreds of years yet.
@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 Oh jeez that's not good news 😟xx
That's just wrong. It irks me to no end when people trash places. It's so inconsiderate of others.
I love your Videos all of them. I laugh at you at times when you seriously get of track an start rambling about something else. Thanks for sharing.
Be safe sir! Shame what that place has become.
Stop mentioning my name in your videos!
The Fire has been burning since May of 1962. The guy that fell in the hole in the backyard is Todd Dombowski.
I can not believe there are people like that destroying woodland but what is worst is we have a local government that excepts it as a way of life.
Last year the EPA declared the fire out but local officials say it is still burning. That was reported by a couple newspapers. I believe my eyes or your meter. Thanks.
Hi Cliff..I love your videos but please be careful..copperheads like to bask on the rocks above the mine vents...
There's an underground coal fire in Australia that has been burning for thousands of years.
Cliff, you mentioned that you were located east of Centralia in the video. Are you close to the old town of Byrnesville that was decimated by the Centralia mine fire?
Byrnesville does not get the attention that it should as Centralia does. However it was also a victim of this mine fire. Byrnesville shared a Zip Code with Centralia (17927) which was discontinued in 2002.
East of Byrnesville
it would be really cool if someone can lower a camera into one of those holes.
Good video, but there are these fires burning all over Luzerne county..
Sometimes dump fees or garbage service is so expensive it's hard for poor people to come up with the money when they are trying to clean up. Or the dumps are so far away they don't have money for gas. So there might be mitigating circumstances for the dumping. I don't want to judge before knowing the facts of the matter. But I do so hate seeing trash in the woods.
There are a lot of restrictions too as to what you can dump. We are fortunate to have a hazardous waste location with low to zero dump costs. But say mattresses are 20 bucks plus weight cost to discard. These end up in the woods. Folks here also plan their roadside dumping based on when the sheriff road crews go through. One of the worst problems in this area is Christmas trees with junk on them. Could be shreaded into compost if it wasnt for the tinsel and flock. ugh.
When you're thinking about camping in the winter. Rig a way to pipe the heat, without the smoke.
Fascinated by Centralia and PA in general. I want to see it for myself too. I guess they say it could burn for another 250 years, is that right?
Yes. Being that it is Anthracite Coal, it could theoretically burn for that long.
I wonder if wildlife congregate near the heat sources in the worst of winter weather.
Interesting question. Someone should set up some trail cams near the vents in winter.
Trail cam. Jean, what a great idea. Are you listening Cliff or your friend J.P? I'm in quarantine in Buffalo so I won't be setting one up anytime soon.
Your video was interesting. Other videos seem focused on the graffiti highway. How far away from the houses where people still live? The people that continue to dump all that trash should be ashamed. The county or company needs to install a camera so they can be fined and made to clean it up.
About 2 miles from where Cliff is in this location. I also did a number of videos on Centralia.
Hi Cliff, could you tell us what direction the fires are burning, and could it be a threat to neighboring towns? Thank you in advance * we appreciate your great videos, and your time to film them.
There are several fires burning in different directions, this one is burning east, not towns in danger at the moment.
If there was just some way to use the thermal vents to create artificial hot springs like the real ones out here in Pagosa and Ouray, Colorado. The fumes couldn't smell much worse.
Cool video. Does the smoke coming out of the ground smell?
What locals? I didn't think anyone lives there. So who is doing the dumping?
Locals from surrounding towns.
The Wandering Woodsman Oh people are pigs 🐷
becareful there could be toxic fumes
I love your videos. Why would people do that are they slow minded
very very interested in Centralia does the smoke have an odor? sad that the town has been destroyed very common years ago to burn your trash would love to visit this place thanks for taking me along
It didn't have much of a smell.
Yeah someone needs to get out there and clean that trash up!
the fire is not the problem it's the people what a shame
Are these exhaust holes old coal mine entrenches or is it just the natural formation of the rocks?
Can't they just get a garden hose and put that fire out? It should take any longer than an hour.
It doesn't work that way...
@@thewanderingwoodsman7227 Just kidding with you, Wandering Woodsman. :)
So if that fire doesn't go out, how far can it progress?
From a totally clueless Ohio flatlander.... so as the coal burns in the seam, does the earth settle in its place causing a cave in or a quake or anything? I’ve always wondered
Yes it causes subsidence. Thus the Signs at the entrance of Centralia that tell you the ground is prone to cave-ins and is a threat to your life.
It does in some spots.
is trhere no risk of the ground collapsing? i mean the fire must have consumed insane amounts of fuel which must have left a big hole after it?
Three things there. One is that anthracite coal seams are rolled up diagonally and sometimes vertically during their formation, so there may be voids where coal has burned 10 feet wide while there's 70 feet of rock between voids, that leads to number two, these mines and most of the rest of Pennsylvania is situated in shale rock, which is not massive rock and resembles a tightly packed gravel pile with stones that are sharp and oddly shaped. Most of the time, the mined, or in this case burned out areas are deep enough, and the "stones" arranged in such a way that the existing rock strata is enough to support the ground above. Even if a tunnel collapses, that doesn't mean the whole strata gives up, but when it does that results in a subsidence. So to answer the question, "Is it safe?"
No. But it's not anywhere near as dangerous as climbing Everest or diving shipwrecks, And I prefer to live life at my own risk.
I don't see how the advances in firefighting couldn't stop that. It's been burning, what 50 yrs now?
is it possible for the entire area to burn so much that it could collapse?
Not entirely, just smaller collapses.
Great vid, Cliff! Next time please switch your machine to Celsius for your european audience. Thanks and have a nice weekend.
Simply disgusting individuals
Paul Justin Did you see all the new littering vids? NJ reopened the county & state parks only to have them trashed with masks, gloves & human waste. People are animals.
Does it have any odors?
Cliff did you every go to that spot in winter. Thanks
Not this spot
Was it smoke or steam, Cliff? Did it smell like smoke or was it water vapor?
its coal smoke not steam !
It was probably a mixture of the two, didn't have much of a smell.
They most recently covered the old highway with dirt so there will be no more graffiti.
Not under the town and looks up 😅