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Feamre 4 is a series of parallel fractures approximately twelve [o fifteen feet in length. These fractures <br />occur parallel with contour, and generally on-strike between Features 1 and 3. Ground surface <br />temperatures at this area vary between 250° and 450°. Evidence of scorched roots of various grasses and <br />annual weeds was observed in the vicinity of the fractures. Feature 4, located at approximately 38° 55' <br />35.2"; 1070 27' 47.2", is located on contour, about ten feet east of the expanded metal straps fixed to the <br />sandstone. <br />It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about an underground fire from observable surface features. <br />However, some fire related characteristics may be inferred from surface observations. Features 1, 3 and 4 <br />all appear to align with each other, approximately perpendicular [o contour. These features appear to vent <br />the C seam, and appear to be located near the described location of the Bear Number 3 entry. This <br />observation suggests that a relationship between the entry and the fire exists. One way to help ascertain <br />which mine and associated seam are involved in the fire may be to determine whether this alignment <br />coincides with mapped mine entries. When evaluating the underground maps, care should be taken to <br />determine whether the apparently mined seam is connected to other seams by way of interconnecting rock <br />tunnels. <br />The higher temperatures observed at portions of Feature I and at Feature 4 suggest a relatively nearby heat <br />source. A subsidence failure at Feature I may serve to confirm this theory. This is not to say that other <br />portions of the mine are not be burning, however. Heat transfer, atmospheric movement and [he presence <br />of water accumulating near a closed mine entry could trigger a localized combustion even[. Evaluation of <br />the ground surface further uphill from the observed vents, possibly from an aircraft during the winter, may <br />be useful in evaluating whether additional portions of the mine aze on fire. <br />Feature 2, the steam vent, is located easterly of the feature 1, 3, 4 alignment. The offset, however, does not <br />discount the significance of this feature. The off set and low temperature of this feature may indicate <br />underground collapse or blockage between the vent location and the fire source. Such a blockage, if it <br />exists, may be beneficial if fire suppression activities are undertaken in the future. <br />People visiting the site should be cautious when approaching the vents and other fire related features <br />located on the upper bench. The parallel fracturing observed at Feature 4, and the circular nature of the <br />Feature I fracture pattern suggest some potential for ground instability exists. <br />Based on the mining information provided and the field data collected, it appears that this underground fire <br />may be located within a mine that was active subsequent to enactment of the Surface Mining Control and <br />Reclamation Act of 1977. If this were [he case, the site would not be eligible for funding or remedial work <br />performed by the Inactive Mines Program. Barring information to the contrary, the Inactive Mines <br />Program will not at this time schedule this site for fire mitigation activities. <br />