MERCED COUNTY, Calif (KFSN) — A fire involving 9,000 tons of shredded tire material continued burning in Merced County on Tuesday, sending thick black smoke into the air and creating potentially bad air quality conditions for nearby communities.
The fire is burning in the area of Newport Road between Sunny Acres and East avenues. Fire crews have been working continuously to contain the blaze, which has remained active for more than a day.
Merced County Fire officials said they are working with the property owners as firefighters work around the clock to extinguish the fire.
“They’ve got crews here working throughout the night. Twenty-four hours doing the best they can to get the water on the tire pile,” said Battalion Chief John Slate of Merced County Fire/CAL FIRE.
Video from the Denair Fire Department showed crews using hoses to battle the flames as dark smoke billowed into the sky.
“We are going to be working non-stop for the next few days until we can see some real progress,” Slate said.
The smoke from the fire has been visible from Highway 99 and has led to hazy conditions across parts of Merced County.
“You don’t need a monitor in the area to tell you. Use your senses first. You can definitely see the large black smoke. Good news for us, it would go aloft and go straight into the air. So it’s not as regionally spread,” said Heather Heinks of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
The air quality concerns have extended to schools within the Merced Union High School District, particularly affecting students who live in Atwater and Livingston.
“For athletic outdoors, I know there’s a lot of fall sports happening right now. They’re practicing outside. Either they’re going to move to a different venue or postpone practices,” said Viviana Miyake of the Merced Union High School District.
District leaders said they moved physical education classes indoors to reduce students’ exposure to potentially poor air conditions. School leaders said they are continuing to monitor the situation.
Firefighters face additional challenges because of the hazardous materials involved.
“When we do have to engage in the actual material that is cooled off, we’re doing it in a safe manner. Wearing all of our personal protective equipment,” Slate said.
Crews are also using heavy equipment to move the shredded tire material as part of the firefighting effort.
Meanwhile, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has deployed additional air monitors near the fire.
“Those go right to the scene of the incident or nearby in the vicinity so that they can inform in real time what’s happening on the ground,” Heinks said.
Firefighters are still investigating what caused the blaze and hope to extinguish it within the week.
Air quality officials are urging residents, especially those with underlying health conditions, to remain indoors and avoid hazardous conditions. They also recommend checking and replacing air filters if necessary.
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