This Insane Texas Tire Fire Shows Why The EPA Is Essential To America

[TexasTowelie]

In this instance and others like it, the EPA deploys teams, strategists, and equipment when the task at hand proves too great for the state or local resources available. Were it not for the EPA’s involvement in Odessa, the fire would almost certainly rage on until the fuel had been consumed, likely for days or even weeks.

The firefighters paired with Ector County civil services to create a “break” around the pit so that winds wouldn’t cause the fire to spread beyond the tires, but beyond that, there was little proactive work that could be done.

Two days later, help arrived as the Environmental Protection Agency formulated a plan. Three days later, on Wednesday morning, the federal agency went to work. According to this news report, the smoke and fire have been largely quelled, but as you can see, the smoke and toxic particulate remain in the city’s air.

It's not clear if the tires were situated on public or private land, but it's believed their storage was against regulation. Investigators are continuing to search for the landowners and/or culpable parties.

Read more: https://www.good.is/articles/texas-tire-fire

[KT2000]

1. Absolutely - states depend on EPA

for expertise that cannot be duplicated in all 50 states to meet the need for technical assistance.
Without the EPA, local ecology departments are vulnerable to pressures from corporations and people who believe libertarianism is the answer.

[progressoid]

6. Our idiot senator Ernst thinks the States can deal with this just fine.

She wants to get rid of the EPA.

[Warpy]

2. Looks like they were just dumped

instead of being recycled into something useful like retreads, asphalt, artificial reefs for fish, or shoe soles.

I hope they find out whoever dumped them. Try the registration on that tractor, if they can find anything left of it.

[Doreen]

3. If memory serves me right, burning tires have some of

the most dangerous chemicals in them. That looks just nasty. Of course trump will get the new and say ho hum now cancel the regulations.

[TexasTowelie]

4. If memory serves me right,

the school burned old tires on the back side of the football stadium when I was a student.

Not the brightest move.

[joewicker_TX]

5. Yep....my butthole of a town.....

Best guess is that this was an oil company tire storage.
These illegal dump sites are everywhere in the county. Out here in Trump-topia they don't take kindly to anything resembling....you know....laws. That's one of the reasons Ector county is one of most dangerous cities to live in the US. I seriously doubt anything will happen as a result of this fire. There is no concern about the environment, safety or governance.....just oil coming out of the ground. $$$$$ to the oil execs and F**K everyone else.

[nadine_mn]

7. The same people who complain about overregulation

Are always the first to demand help from the same government if it impacts them.
This fire is insane and the ones responsible will be the least affected (as far as health problems from the toxic fumes, damage to nearby property) and may only get a fine that is either nothing or they will just declare bankruptcy.