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Hot spot continues to smolder and puzzle
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More from Breaking NewsMore than a month after smoke was spotted wafting from the earth near Fillmore, the ground continues to burn and scientists continue to investigate the blaze's cause.
"It's certainly not going away," said Ron Oatman, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman. "Some days are worse than others."
Though the currently held belief is that oil or some other hydrocarbon deep in the earth is burning, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey visited the site recently to do further tests.
When they stuck a probe 18 inches into the soil, thermometers showed a temperature of 940 degrees, compared to an earlier reading of 812 degrees. Oatman said the results of the recent tests are not yet finished.
"I don't think they think it is any type of volcanic activity, but we want to rule it out," he said.
But that hasn't kept the world from wondering what's going on underneath the ground. An Internet search shows that hundreds and hundreds of blogs and Web sites mention or link to the story, all intrigued by the bizarre nature of the earth on fire.
Signs have been posted near the site warning people to stay away but not be alarmed if they see smoke.
"If you see smoke don't worry," he said. "If you see flames, call the fire department."
On some days the smoke barely wafts from the ground, on others it pours out in wispy gray columns.
Oatman said the underground fire is likely to burn until the ground gets a thorough soaking, closing up the dry cracks in the earth and extinguishing the blaze that is burning far below the surface.
Posted by hisgrl on September 9, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oh my god we are going to die
Posted by kosmoz13 on September 9, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
it's no wonder the county home prices are in a free fall.
Posted by hisgrl on September 9, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hopfully it's not a valcano.
JuniorMAFIA join you where???
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 9, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gosh how scary !!!!!
Posted by oxnardian23m on September 9, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
high_society, project CERN, DETAILS PLEASE
Posted by CloudyDaze on September 9, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's the fault of the nearest ranch. Sue the snot out of them.
Posted by greeneyedbeauty on September 9, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow.. that is scary
Posted by oxnardian23m on September 9, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Junior, What is CERN and LHC??? Details
Posted by MADJACKEL on September 9, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CERN is going to attempt to make a miniture big bang.. maybe open up some black holes, alternate dimensions... and I'm not kidding. no joke.
Posted by MADJACKEL on September 9, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CERN is mentioned in the Angels & Demons noval by Dan Brown and the upcoming movie with the same name. In the noval they were attempting to create antimatter which could destroy the planet
Posted by caroldammit on September 9, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Particle accelerators have been around & in use for many years, starting with Lawrence & Livingston's first successful 4" cyclotron in 1931. The Large Hadron Collider is just the latest & greatest. I read that after tomorrow's startup, they'ss test a beam in one direction, then a beam in the opposite direction before smashing them into each other approx. a month from now. So y'all got that long to get your affairs in order! ;o)
MadJackel: I didn't know they were making Angels&Demons into a movie...figures tho. Thanx for the info!
Posted by Superbad on September 9, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't belive this story, I am going to visit this place myself.
Posted by goaliegirl69 on September 9, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's odd that the expert scientists are stumped.
They'd like to rule out that it's not Volcanic activity. Not very reassuring, is it?
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 9, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez, You guys are scaring me more by the minute! I have got to read those links now! omg.
Where are my brown pants !!!!!!
Posted by sparks240 on September 9, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't the world supposed to end in 2012?
Posted by kosmoz13 on September 9, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Allen King you told me this wasn't a volcano...
Posted by jamaro099 on September 9, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
high_society - for those of us who believe in God, why won't the world end in 2012? If we don't know when it will happen, how do we know it won't happen in 2012? ha ha ha - just teasing.
With any luck the republicans will disappear in 2012! Hey, it's my fantasy! :-)
Posted by Ventura22 on September 9, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe someone can sue a local rancher, as they must be somehow responsible for the ground heating up. VC has confirmed they are responsible for landslides at La Conchita so lets sue someone and maybe the heat will stop...ha!
Posted by waasup_H8RS on September 9, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
junior mafia... representing bucktown, mack 11's c---ed back, ni&&as betta back down
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