Thick columns of dangerous black smoke rose over California’s Central Valley on Monday after a fire broke out at a tire recycling facility, sending a visible plume across the surrounding area.
The blaze was reported Monday afternoon at American Tire Recycling, LLC, located in the 13000 block of Newport Road in Ballico, a Merced County community east of Turlock.
“Merced County fire crews are currently on scene of a large tire fire east of Turlock, which is producing a significant smoke column that may be visible from throughout the surrounding area,” the Turlock Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
The department cautioned that people in and around Turlock could encounter smoke or strong odors from the fire. “Please avoid the area and allow emergency crews room to operate,” officials warned.
The California Highway Patrol also reported that Newport Road was shut down between Sunny Acres Avenue and East Avenue. Authorities said there was no estimated time for when the road would reopen.
A witness who recorded video of the fire told The Post that “it was super scary from my POV” and said “they were burning tires.” He added that his son was able to “see it from our house in Winton.”
The Merced County Fire Department issued a smoke advisory as the fire continued to burn, noting that “due to the nature of the fire and the materials involved, the fire is expected to continue burning for some time.”
Officials urged anyone with sensitive respiratory conditions to use caution and stay away from the area until the tire fire is fully extinguished. Emergency crews remained at the scene.
The tire facility incident comes just around a week after California unanimously approved new rules that will phase out the sale of replacement tires that don’t meet the state’s energy-efficiency standards, which could eliminate nearly 70% of tires sold.
The rules approved by California’s Energy Commission could see average tire prices soar up to $157 from $81 according to the Tire Industry Association.
