Multiple agencies firefighters deal with toxic fire from wrecking yard

Karen Ossenfort

Special to the Village News

A nasty, toxic fire burned at the Ecology Auto Wrecking Storage off Airport Road in Oceanside, July 18.

Prevailing winds carried and dissipated the toxic smoke out through the 76 Valley, into Bonsall and out towards I-15, a North County Fire spokesperson mentioned.

Multiple agencies fought the fire, which started around 7 a.m., July 18, and included not only Oceanside, but Camp Pendleton, Vista and Carlsbad. HAZMAT and County Health also were at the scene.

In addition, a county Air Pollution Control District Compliance Supervisor arrived on site. "We no longer have much smoke," he said. "HAZMAT was on scene around 10 a.m. (July 18) and took readings. He did not detect any hazardous levels."

The rubble pile of mixed plastics, metals and more was around 300-feet x 300-feet x 80-feet high. "It's been reduced to one tenth of that," he said.

Though most agencies have been sent back to stations, at press time some crews remained on scene and the fire is under investigation.