The Latest: Northern Indiana landfill fire affects schools

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - The Latest on a fire at a northern Indiana landfill (all times local):

2 p.m.

Schools near a northern Indiana landfill fire are dismissing early.

The Concord Community Schools announced at midday Thursday that its schools would close early for the day and canceled all evening activities because of smoke from the fire at the landfill owed by Waste Management just south of Elkhart.

Elkhart Christian Academy sent its students home earlier on Thursday.

The fire was first spotted about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. A plane was used Wednesday evening to drop water on the fire that officials said covered about an acre and was burning material a couple of feet deep. Authorities said Thursday it's about 40 percent contained.

County health officer Dan Nafziger said air testing hasn't found hazardous substances but warned the smoke could cause trouble for people with asthma or emphysema.

___

11 a.m.

Fire continued burning for a second day at a northern Indiana landfill, with officials saying it was about 40 percent contained.

A plume of smoke kept billowing Thursday from the landfill owed by Waste Management just south of Elkhart, where the fire was first spotted about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

A plane was used Wednesday evening to drop water on the fire that officials said covered about an acre and was burning material a couple of feet deep.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's Department says people living in areas affected by the smoke should remain inside even though the landfill doesn't accept hazardous materials

County health officer Dan Nafziger said air testing hasn't found hazardous substances but warned the smoke could cause trouble for people with asthma or emphysema.