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Michael P. Kenny, Executive Officer -6- September 3, 1998 <br /> Subsequent Odor Investigation <br /> In response to an odor complaint received by the ARB Compliance Division, <br /> CD staff returned to the Royster tire fire area on August 24-25, 1998. Staff initially <br /> conducted an on-site inspection of the burning tire pit and visited individual <br /> residences closest to the fire. CD staff also surveyed an adjacent asphalt/aggregate <br /> plant, and nearby neighborhoods for smoke and odors. During these surveys, CD <br /> staff had the opportunity to speak with some of the residents and workers in this area. <br /> The majority of those contacted were disappointed that the fire has continued to burn <br /> into a third week. However, most said that the smoke plume had not cause any <br /> extraordinary problem for them. This is mostly due to very favorable weather <br /> conditions (wind direction and smoke plume rise) which is carrying the smoke up and <br /> in a south/southeast <br /> direction away from the <br /> individual nearby <br /> residences and other <br /> more populated Tracy <br /> neighborhoods. <br /> At approximately <br /> 3:50 a.m. on August 25, <br /> staff resumed surveying <br /> the areas around the <br /> Tracy tire fire. Surveys <br /> on this date were <br /> conducted between 3:50 <br /> and 10:00 a.m. Staff <br /> surveyed additional <br /> Royster's Facility-8/25/98 <br /> neighborhoods <br /> (Glencreek & Glenbriar) and spoke with a few other residents/workers. During the <br /> early morning hours (4 - 6 a.m.), staff observed the smoke plume going in a <br /> west/northwest direction. Although the smoke plume was no longer rising as much or <br /> as fast as during the day, it was not touching the ground. There are approximately six <br /> or seven medium size industrial facilities scattered throughout this area northwest of <br /> the fire. However, it does not appear that they are being significantly impacted. <br /> Tracy neighborhoods in the southwest part of the city are also not being affected, as <br /> they are located further north of smoke plume's path. At 6 a.m. the plume was <br /> observed to rise more rapidly and change to a westerly direction. CD staff had noted <br /> these same general changes in plume direction three weeks ago during the initial <br /> emergency response to this incident. It appears that during a typical 24-hour day, the <br />