A FIRE in a 5,000 ton woodpile is still burning out...almost a month after it started.

One fire engine remains on site as the controlled burn continues.

ECFRS was first called to the fire, which involves a huge pile of scrap wood covering an area of 50 metres by 30 metres and estimated to weigh 5,000 tonnes, early on Monday, August 18.

Since then at least six crews have remained on site at all times changing every three – four hours.

Firefighters are allowing the large fire to burn itself safely out and ensuring that the blaze does not spread to adjacent businesses including a number of scrap yards.

As the fire, which started deep within the pile, began to break through, a large smoke cloud billowed from the scene.

The smoke was not particularly toxic, but residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed.

Roman Road had been closed periocially since the start of the blaze so that crews could access a nearby lake to replenish water supplies.

But that arrangement ended last week, with two on site dams now providing all the water crews need.

The two dams, which are raised pools of water constructed on the site, hold 48,000 litres of water and are topped up by the Service"s water bowsers.

Run-off water is now being pumped away from the site and into a sewer some distance from the fire. The contaminated water is being collected in a sump and then pumped through a large hose by a fire engine. The hose doesn't cross any roads and has proven to be an extremely efficient way of containing and disposing of run-off water.