California Blaze Makes A Big Stink; 50-Ton Manure Pile Erupts In Flames

Tulare County firefighters and property owner David Bixler worked for five hours Wednesday afternoon to put out the blaze. The technique involved spreading the animal waste and pouring water on top, Tulare County Capt. Stan Machado said today.

"Those things are extremely hard to put out," he said.

Machado praised Bixler for providing the necessary equipment.

"You need heavy equipment to spread the pile," Machado said. "Without heavy equipment it is almost impossible. Just imagine spreading a pile that large by hand."

The fire at 3143 W. Prosperity Ave. was attributed to spontaneous combustion. Machado said manure-pile fires put out a lot of smoke because the material is compacted, preventing oxygen from allowing the fire to burn freely.

Several West Prosperity Avenue residents said they noticed the smell Wednesday, but Glen Lewis said he wasn't worried about it.

"Accidents happen," he said. "I have no problems with the fire."

Lewis said he first noticed the smell of smoke at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, about two hours after it was reported to firefighters. Lewis thought it was a grass fire.

"It smelled like weeds burning," he said.

Tulare police received two Wednesday morning calls about the smell, authorities said.