Tire-recycling plant in New Mexico engulfed in flames

Part of a central New Mexico tire-recycling plant was engulfed in flames Sunday morning

June 18, 2000
Web posted at: 11:33 a.m. EDT (1533 GMT)

SOCORRO, New Mexico (CNN) -- Part of a tire-recycling plant was engulfed in flames Sunday morning, and authorities were concerned that smoke and fumes could force them to evacuate the 9,000 residents of Socorro, about 100 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Socorro Police Chief Johnnie Trujillo told CNN that 20 to 30 acres of the Southwest Tire Processor plant were on fire.

Trujillo said a plan was in place if evacuations were needed, but added: "The wind is still in our favor. As long as the wind continues to blow the way (it is), we won't have to worry about evacuations."

The fire began at 8:30 p.m. local time Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET). Socorro said the number of burning tires could be in the thousands.

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Official state of New Mexico web site
United States Environmental Protection Agency
  •  National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
  •  EPA's Decision on New Air Quality Standards
USDA Forest Service

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