MANDAN, N.D. - The coal-fired Heskett Station power plant here is determining how to get the lignite it needs after a series of grass fires burned a timber train bridge that spans the Knife River.
The bridge was along the route from the Dakota Westmoreland coal mine near Beulah to the power plant.
Until the bridge is repaired, the coal mine can't deliver on its 500,000 annual ton coal contract with Heskett. It also likely will be too costly to truck the coal to the plant, mine manager Bill Weaver said.
Authorities believe sparks from a BNSF Railway train caused a series of fires in the area Thursday. They charred about 180 acres of land and threatened the Coyote Station power plant and its main substation before being controlled.
Bridge on route to power plant burned 20071028
