BEND, OR -- Piles of mulch are smoldering at the Knott Landfill in Bend, thanks to Thursday's strong north wind. Firefighters responded to the landfill just before 5 p.m. after several piles were found burning. Crews stopped the spread of the fire, using fire from a ladder truck to reach all parts of the large fire.

Bend Fire says the piles contain as much as 20,000 yards of yard debris that had been ground down into mulch. During the decomposition process, heat is generated which helps break down material and eliminate weed seeds. Afternoon winds appear to have whipped that heat into a fire and helped spread the flames.

Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste and Deschutes Recycling remain on scene into Friday to removed burned material and extinguish any hot spots.

Landfill and recycling center operations should not be impacted. 

Photo courtesy Bend Fire