(La Porte, IN) - The compost site in La Porte where a fire burned recently for over a week is open to the public for free wood cutting.

That’s according to the La Porte County Solid Waste District, which runs the compost pile at 724 Zigler Road near the fairgrounds.  The compost pile had to be dismantled with heavy machinery and doused with water to put out the fire discovered at depths beneath the ground of 15 feet or more.

As a result, officials said there is an abundance of logs and wood for the public to cut on site, SWD officials said.  Splitting of cut wood at the site, though, will not be allowed.  Residents will be required to stop in the nearby solid waste district office at 2857 W. Indiana 2 to sign or drop off a liability release prior to cutting wood at the site.  The waiver can also be found in advance at www.solidwastedistrict.com.  If you have any further questions, please contact the Solid Waste District office at 219-326-0014 Ext. 1.