A 'deep-seated' underground fire has been smouldering below a tip for several months, but residents are being told not to worry.
The sub-surface blaze at the Leigh Reclamation Land Holding, known locally as Queensway tip, broke out back in March.
It has continued to burn ever since, but council bosses say the fire 'poses no imminent danger if left well alone'.
Wigan Council says it has been monitoring the fire since March, along with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Fences have been erected around the site, between Queensway and Green Lane, near to the Higher Folds estate, in Leigh, to protect residents.
While there are no homes in close vicinity, people are being warned to avoid the tip as a precaution for their own safety.
On Wednesday, firefighters will be using drones to assess the blaze and carry out safety checks at the site.
Residents are being invited to put their concerns and questions to fire crews and council officers.
Coun Nazia Rehman, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for resources, finance and transformation, said: “This has been an ongoing changing situation since March now and in that time council officers along with our colleagues in GMFRS and Public Health England have been doing all they can to ensure everything remains under control.
“This is not something out of the ordinary but I would urge local residents to stay away from the fenced off area as a precaution for their own safety.
“Tomorrow is a great opportunity for local residents to hear first-hand from the fire service and council officers and have any questions answered.”
GMFRS station manager Chris Evans added: “We are joining our colleagues from Wigan Council at the deep-seated fire at Queensway tip as a way to let people in the area know what is happening and how we are dealing with the fire.
"Firefighters will carry out checks at the site, which will include our AIR Unit – a type of drone – being used to give us information on the temperature of the fire and its size.”
Fire crews and council workers will be in the area for around two hours from 11am on Wednesday to answer any questions people may have.
