Largest CA Used-tire Site Burning

A fire, which ignited at the Royster Tire Disposal Facility (near Tracy, CA) on August 7, will take two or more weeks to burn itself out, according to a report in The San Francisco Chronicle.

Fighting the fire with water was not a consideration. Water facilities at the site were nonexistent and could not be used were they available since the water needed to stanch the blaze would create a contaminated "lake" that could percolate into the area's groundwater.

The fire was described by the Chronicle as exploding tire bundles and releasing benzene, dioxin, aldehydes, and heavy metals into the air. The smoke, despite its volume and density, was said not to pose a health danger according to Brian Bateman, manager of the toxic evaluation section of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, since exposure would be relatively transient. Winds have blown the smoke away from town since the fire started.

The Royster depot held about 7-million tires in a gorge covering about 30 acres. Piles were described as rising 60 to 70 feet in height. State regulations allow tire piles no more than 10 feet high. Local and state officials reportedly have tried for years to make the site's owners comply with state standards and take other action to mitigate the threat of fire. Royster, in turn, has been contesting lawsuits brought against it.

Since 1994, California has required permitting of every tire-storage facility by the state's Integrated Waste Management Board. The board mandates specifications for tire depots, including the size of tire piles and the installation of water-delivery systems for firefighting.

In addition, the board reportedly has assigned tire recycling as a top priority. Tires can be burned in power plants or cement kilns, turned into asphalt for roadways, or shredded for use as a playground material. However, the supply of used tires exceeds demand.