SKOWHEGAN — Burning of demolition debris on site at the former middle school this week is legal and meets the guidelines of the Maine’s open burning laws, according to local and state officials.

Interim Fire Chief Daniel Adams said he inspected the fire pile and found it to be about 20 feet round by eight feet tall and comprised of what he calls “clean wood.”

“It is being separated by an excavator,” Adams said. “They are doing a very careful, thorough job of separating that material.”

Town Manager Philip Tarr said the town has received calls of “public interest” in the burning, which began Tuesday. Tarr said he is convinced — after inspection by Adams and Code Enforcement Officer Randall Gray — that the burn is legal.

He said state environmental officials also have said it appears to be a reasonable control burn.