Public leaders are set to announce today the formation of a working group to assess whether changes in laws, regulations and resources are needed in light of the underground environmental fire at a landfill in Moody.

The working group will examine the response to the fire and make recommendations for improving the ability of state and local agencies to respond to similar emergencies in the future, according to a statement from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

The fire has been burning since November, driving some neighbors out of their houses and irritating homeowners more than 30 miles away.

“The fire revealed shortcomings in the ability and authority of state and local governments to respond to situations that are outside the scope of regulated activities but pose risks to the public,” the ADEM statement said.

Agencies and associations represented on the working group include ADEM, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Association of County Commissions of Alabama, Alabama League of Municipalities, Alabama State Senate and Alabama House of Representatives.

For updates on the effort to extinguish the fire, go to moodyfireupdate.com.

No smoke was reported at the site Thursday, and no work was conducted because of the weather, according to the update website. Work will resume Monday.