PR0535342 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

TIRES Beginning in October, lower tem- mental damage by dumping water peratures and changing wind con- on the pile, authorities will simply ditions started pushing the fumes wait for it to consume itself slow- Ckitinued from Ct into nearby neighborhoods. ly, Spagnole said; officials could f "It was so bad a month ago not sayTuesdaywhen that might amounts of pyrolytic oil directly that we'd wake up with our lungs finally happen. contradict early predictions that as bunting," said Kathy Lightfoot, 51, Once the pile is out, officials many 5 million pounds theox- who lives about five miles from will decide whether to remove the ins would ld released fromm the the pile on Mary Court. "It's been charred remains or cover them fire, Spagnole said. a lot better since then, though." with sand. Meanwhile, the Tracy U.S. Environmental Protection Air-quality readings taken since Fire Department will send out a Agency officials were still waiting the fire began have been consis- short newsletter with the next Ttiesday for much of the pile to tent with those taken in the round of city utility bills to let burn out and could not say exact- region in previous years, said residents know what is being ly what quantity of chemicals had Josette Merced Bello, a spokes- done about the smoldering tire been released into the pit. woman for the San Joaquin Valley pile. But even as they count their Unified Air Pollution District. "People have been calling in environmental blessings over the The U.S. EPA, which now has asking why the tires are still burn- tire fire, state and local authorities fall jurisdiction over the tire pile, ing and what we're going to do continue to receive critical phone will not begin cleaning up in about it," Tracy Fire Chief Terrell calls from residents wondering earnest until the tires burn out Estes said. "We want to put out a why the pile has been allowed to completely, officials said. Rather little information to answer some smolder for more than 100 days. than risk causing further environ- of those questions."