The Centralia Mine Fire, which began in 1962 in Centralia, Pennsylvania, has led to the gradual abandonment of the town due to the ongoing underground fire. The fire, caused by improper waste disposal, has burned for decades, resulting in dangerous subsidence and toxic gas emissions. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the environmental consequences of mining practices and the long-term impacts on communities.

The Centralia Mine Fire of 1962 inspired environmental and ghost town narratives, with writers like John Updike exploring themes of decay and the haunting consequences of industrial negligence in their literary works.