News Release (C-7-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-7-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 August 25, 1998

Cal/EPA Reports on Status of Tracy Tire Fire

SACRAMENTO -- Air-quality measurements have confirmed that the two-week-old tire fire at the S.F. Royster facility in Tracy to date has not caused significant levels of air pollution in surrounding areas, the California Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

Smoke from the fire rose 4,500 to 6,500 feet into the air and was diluted by winds to the point where ground-level instruments downwind from the fire did not detect significant amounts of air pollutants. Burning tires emit small, inhalable particles; gaseous pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide; and toxic substances such as hexavalent chromium, 1,3-butadiene and benzene.

"The fire sent a very large quantity of pollutants into the air, but weather conditions fortunately kept significant levels of those pollutants away from people on the ground," said Peter M. Rooney, California Secretary for Environmental Protection. "By monitoring air quality, we were in a position to take appropriate action to protect the public if circumstances had warranted it."

Monitoring and analysis by Cal/EPA's Air Resources Board (ARB) found that the fire during its first two weeks was so hot that the smoke broke through the stable, low-lying summertime air that often keeps air pollution close to the ground. After rising to an elevation of 4,500 to 6,500 feet, pollutants in the smoke were dispersed by winds until they were no longer detectable. ARB will continue to monitor air quality for the duration of the fire.

Other ARB findings include:

Levels of small airborne particles in Modesto did not exceed federal or state standards during the two weeks after the fire began August 7. Small airborne particles, or PM10, are microscopic particles that are 10 microns or less in size. They originate from a variety of sources, including fires, and can exacerbate asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.

Airborne concentrations of toxic metals measured in Modesto and Stockton after the fire began were similar to levels measured in August 1997.

Air monitoring in the Tracy area during the fire did not find excessive levels of particles or other pollutants associated with the fire.

Particle (PM10) emissions from the fire are more than 50 percent greater than particle emissions typically produced during the same period of time by all sources in San Joaquin County.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases