An underground mine fire, started in 1962 from burning trash in the town dump, continues to burn to this day. Hot spots in the ground, dangers of ground subsidence, and sulfurous pollution from the burning coal have endangered the lives of Centralia residents for almost four decades. Federal and State officials tried to extinguish the fire, and failing that came up with a plan to buy out homeowners in Centralia and assist them in moving elsewhere. George Harvan has recorded the dismal scene in Centralia, another community that has fallen victim of King Coal.

To first photograph