Seven piles of tires spanning 5 acres caught fire Wednesday evening in unincorporated Weld County, a few miles northwest of Hudson, and though the fire has darkened down significantly, it continues to burn Thursday morning.
Platteville-Gilcrest Fire Protection District crews received a call for the fire at 5:28 p.m. Wednesday at CH2E, a tire recycling facility on Weld County Road 41, near Weld 26, according to an agency news release. Initial reports stated equipment was on fire.
On arrival, crews saw the fire spreading to nearby piles of tires. Mutual aid agencies were requested to assist with the fire, and a total of 12 agencies, as well as private contractors, have assisted with the response. More than 40 firefighters responded.
Crews initiated a fireline about 7 p.m., according to a social media post by Platteville-Gilcrest. Crews used bulldozers, loaders and dump trucks to build a berm around the fire and began enclosing the fire with dirt. The containment area encompassed seven cells of tire piles, spanning about 7.5 acres, out of 64 cells at the facility.
Officials determined a piece of equipment started the fire, which quickly spread to the tires. No structures have been damaged, and no injuries have been reported. Command staff used strategies that proved successful in fighting a fire at the same location in 1987, according to a news release.
The Environmental Protection Agency advised command staff, and county agencies have been in contact as they have monitored the fire.
Platteville-Gilcrest EMS Division Chief and Public Information Officer Matt Concialdi said Thursday morning the fire is still burning, but has darkened down significantly. He said officials are not sure how much longer it may continue to burn.
———
©2020 the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.)
Visit the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.) at www.greeleytribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
