Tire fire in Merced County prompts air quality alerts for surrounding communities

MERCED COUNTY, Calif (KFSN) -- Dark smoke continued to rise Tuesday from a tire recycling facility, prompting air quality alerts for Merced County communities.

A tire-filled area about half the size of a football field caught fire Monday north of Ballico. Fire crews contained the flames but there is no estimated time for when the fire will be fully extinguished.

A road closure remains in effect at Newport Road between Sunny Acres and East avenues.

According to Merced County Fire, the blaze involves 9,000 tons of shredded tires. The Denair Fire Department provided new footage showing the scale of the incident, including a massive plume of gray smoke. Crews encountered the heavy smoke after being called in to assist with firefighting efforts.

No injuries have been reported.

Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

Merced County health officials have issued an alert urging residents to stay indoors because of potentially unhealthy air quality.

Schools in the area are also limiting outdoor activities due to air quality concerns. Ballico Elementary School is keeping students indoors until conditions improve.