A controlled burn at a slag dump in Beaver County grew out of control for a time Wednesday morning, before firefighters were able to get it contained again, but it will be a long time before it is completely out.

The fire is under control after significant effort by various fire companies led by the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Crews were able to get the fire under control as of 10:55 a.m. No injuries were reported. The burn was happening at the CJ Betters facility, also known locally as the slag dump.

The fire started around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, apparently, as efforts to burn large track mats used to move heavy equipment for digging and installing gas lines.

Large pieces of wood, essentially gigantic railroad ties, were in the slag dump. Some of them are 20-to 30-feet long.

It's a lot of lumber, and once it caught fire, it took off.

KDKA-TV spoke with Lieutenant Eddie Kallen of the Center Township Fire Department about the challenges firefighters may face now that the fire is under control.

"There's no water here, so all of our water is coming from the Center Township Water Authority or Aliquippa," Lt. Kallen said. "We have six takers and three engines at this time. Obviously, it's dry conditions, not really good for a fire."

Lt. Kallen added that the fire will continue to burn, and officials will concentrate on putting as much water on the affected area as possible.

"They're large track mats that they used for when the gas lines were coming in, when they were piping everything to Shell, so they're very large, heavy, timber track mats. Some of them are three or four stacked. Obviously, there's other ones that are bigger than railroad ties."

As for air quality in the area, officials say it's not an issue at this time.

Two things are working to keep the air quality from worsening: the slag dump being atop a hill and a constant breeze, which is pulling up the smoke.

Officials say residents may notice an unpleasant smell, but there is not a significant respiratory risk.