MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 8th, 2026
Media Release #01
CONTACT: McKenzie Villatoro, Portage County EMA, Public Information Officer, mvillatoro@portageco.com, (330) 297-3607
ONGOING RESPONSE NEAR SEPTIC TANK SITE IN DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
RAVENNA, OH — On Saturday, October 3, the Deerfield Fire Department responded to and extinguished a brush fire located off State Route 225 in Deerfield Township in Portage County. On Monday, October 5, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources responded to reports of a possible coal-related fire in the same area. During the response, air monitoring equipment detected hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can pose health risks depending on the concentration and duration of exposure.
Evidence indicates the fire may have been burning for an extended period. However, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Mineral Resources Management, has indicated that it has no reason to believe the fire is associated with an abandoned underground coal mine.
Residents near the intersection of State Route 224 and State Route 225 should be aware of potential symptoms associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure, including eye irritation, coughing, and throat irritation. Residents experiencing these symptoms should move away from the affected area and seek medical guidance. Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or other severe symptoms should seek emergency medical assistance.
ODNR is continuing to investigate the site and is working closely with other federal, state, and local agencies. As response activities continue, the public is asked to avoid the affected area to protect their safety and allow emergency personnel to conduct response operations. Unauthorized individuals should not enter the property and will be asked to leave the area.
Follow Portage Prepares for additional information as it becomes available.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 9th, 2026
Media Release #02
CONTACT: McKenzie Villatoro, Portage County EMA, Public Information Officer, mvillatoro@portageco.com, (330) 297-3607
RESPONSE TO GOB FIRE, DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
RAVENNA, OH — As emergency response to the gob fire in Deerfield Township continues, the Portage County Emergency Management Agency staff has been collaborating with several local, state, and federal partners as we navigate this peculiar incident.
At this point in the response, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management recommended an Emergency declaration for the site and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (Department of the Interior) concurred allowing for a more rapid response. As a part of the response, On Tuesday, October 13, the Division’s geotechnical drilling team will be onsite to conduct a core investigation on the spoil area to confirm the material composition. This will allow Division engineers to develop an engineering design. Concurrently utility markings will occur. Both the Division and the Deerfield Fire Department continue to visit the site daily to conduct visual inspections of surface conditions. The property is private property and the public is asked to remain off of it. This is for their safety and the safety of the landowner.
From a local response standpoint, the PC EMA staff assisted by the Portage County Hazardous Materials team and Deerfield Township Fire Department on Friday morning by deploying air monitoring equipment at the gob fire in Deerfield Township to continue monitoring and address concerns of the public. Monitoring continued at various heights and distances away from the smoke. Monitoring equipment only identified readings of hazardous materials directly over smoldering sections of the fire and not any distance downwind, including directly adjacent to the surface/subsurface fire determining no down-wind hazard to residents.
The PC EMA encourages residents to be aware that some chemicals have low-odor thresholds and can be detected via odor well below concentrations dangerous to humans, similar to household cleaning supplies, paints, or other. A plan is in place to move forward with remediation of the area and the County with stakeholders will continue to monitor conditions and provide timely updates.