Tire fire sparks air advisories in N.B.

MINTO, N.B.— A large tire fire at a recycling plant in the village of Minto, N.B., was continuing to burn Sunday, but firefighters were dumping sand on it in an effort to suffocate the flames.

Geoffrey Downey, spokesperson for the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, said in an interview the fire at the TRACC recycling facility was under control as of noon local time, about 36 hours after it ignited.

However, he said there were concerns about acrid smoke potentially causing health issues for residents in the area, about 50 kilometres east of Fredericton.

“If people are experiencing any difficulties they think may be related to the smoke, they should seek medical attention right away,” he said.

An air quality advisory was sent out on Saturday advising residents of Minto and Chipman of the smoke risk.

Minto has a population of about 2,300, while there are about 1,100 residents of the Chipman area.

However, at various times, the firefighting effort involved up to 21 different fire departments from around the province.

Downey says firefighters had been allowing the tires to burn on Saturday, sending a plume of smoke up in the air visible from Fredericton. However, their tactics shifted to smothering the four-metre high tire piles with sand by Sunday afternoon.

TRACC is one of the largest employers in Minto, with about 50 people working at the site. No injuries were reported.