Simco Road landfill on fire again

For the second time in five months, a fire broke out at the Simco Road landfill in western Elmore County on Tuesday morning.

Authorities were notified around 7:30 a.m. regarding the blaze at the Idaho Waste System facility.

The caller told dispatchers they had a fire at the dump but were handling the situation.

According to information collected at the scene, the fire appeared to be burning in a pit at the base of the landfill dumping hill with thick white and gray smoke billowing out of the ground. An IWS official indicated the environment around the landfill was very busy with workers coming and going as firefighters battle the blaze.

Around 12:35 p.m. that day, authorities reported that the fire was located near the base of the landfill on the west side. However, it appeared that no structures had been involved.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, smoke was still visible in the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A fire at the same site in November 2015 closed the landfill for close to one month and cost Elmore County more than $30,000 in additional trash hauling fees.