# Tire fire > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tire_fire > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tire_fire.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_fire > Source revision: 1343633000 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Events involving the combustion of tires}} {{Use American English|date=March 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}} [[File:Tire fire in Minto, NB.jpg|thumb|A tire fire in [Minto, New Brunswick](/source/Minto%2C_New_Brunswick), Canada]] '''Tire fires''' are events that involve the combustion of large quantities of [tire](/source/tire)s, usually [waste tires](/source/Tire_recycling), typically in locations where they are stored, dumped, or processed. They exist in two forms: as fast-burning events, leading to almost immediate loss of control, and as slow-burning [pyrolysis](/source/pyrolysis) which can continue for over a decade. They are noted for being difficult to extinguish. Such fires produce much smoke, which carries [toxic](/source/toxic) chemicals from the breakdown of [synthetic rubber](/source/synthetic_rubber) compounds while burning.{{cite report |title=Tire Pile Fires—Prevention, Response, Remediation |date=September 23, 2002 |author=Environmental Engineering and Contracting, Inc. |publisher=[United States Environmental Protection Agency](/source/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency) |url=https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/tires/web/pdf/gen-067-tire%20pile%20fires-prevention%2C%20response%2C%20remediation.pdf |access-date=June 26, 2020}} Tire fires are normally the result of [arson](/source/arson) or improper manipulation with open fire. Tires are not prone to [self-ignition](/source/spontaneous_combustion_(combustion)), as a tire must be heated to at least {{convert|400|C|F|sigfig=2|abbr=off}} for a period of several minutes prior to ignition. [[File:Manifestation de pompiers Feu de pneus devant préfecture Lille 27 juin 2017a 01.jpg|thumb|A deliberately set fire during a protest in [Lille](/source/Lille), France observed by emergency workers waiting to manage the fire.]] When tires are piled up and get wet, water may diffuse to the carcasses and steel will rust; this is an exothermic reaction (oxidation). Rubber itself is a good insulator, and within the piled/dumped masses temperature will continuously rise. At about 60 degrees Celsius rotten rubber will split off methane and later cyclic hydrocarbons as [toluol](/source/Toluene) and xylol, highly flammable and volatile substances. These fumes may easily be ignited, and the process within the pile is continued. Combustion temperature of degraded compounds released by heated tires is thus more consequential than combustion point of the tires themselves. Metal in tires may contribute to the tire fire. The hot wires act as kind of "glowing spiral" in a storm lighter Zippo with its steel insert in the wick, restarting the fire, when blown out. This is a reason tire fires are so hard to extinguish. Extinguishing tire fires is difficult. The fire releases a dark, rich smoke that contains [cyanide](/source/cyanide), [carbon monoxide](/source/carbon_monoxide), [sulfur dioxide](/source/sulfur_dioxide), and products of [butadiene](/source/butadiene) and [styrene](/source/styrene). Burning tires are heated, and, as they have a low [thermal conductivity](/source/thermal_conductivity), they are difficult to cool down. Moreover, they frequently burn inside even if they are extinguished from outside, and easily reignite when hot. One possible remedy is to cover the fire with sand, reducing the supply of oxygen and the exhaust of smoke. After extinguishing and cooling down (which may last several days), toxic chemicals can be neutralized.{{cite web|title=Tire fire from Expert Viewpoint| date=June 29, 2007 |url=http://technet.idnes.cz/exkluzivne-pro-technet-cz-pozar-pneumatik-z-pohledu-odbornika-p7r-/tec_technika.asp?c=A070629_103711_tec_technika_NYV|publisher=Technet Idnes|access-date=2007-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701151227/http://technet.idnes.cz/exkluzivne-pro-technet-cz-pozar-pneumatik-z-pohledu-odbornika-p7r-/tec_technika.asp?c=A070629_103711_tec_technika_NYV|archive-date=2007-07-01|url-status=live}} == Use in protest == [[File:2019 Haitian protests tire fire.png|thumb|Tires being burned as part of the [2018–2023 Haitian crisis](/source/2018%E2%80%932023_Haitian_crisis)]] Protestors are known to burn tires as part of protests.{{cite journal | doi=10.1038/s41598-021-96868-6 | title=The effect of national protest in Ecuador on PM pollution | year=2021 | last1=Zalakeviciute | first1=Rasa | last2=Alexandrino | first2=Katiuska | last3=Mejia | first3=Danilo | last4=Bastidas | first4=Marco G. | last5=Oleas | first5=Nora H. | last6=Gabela | first6=Diana | last7=Chau | first7=Phuong Ngoc | last8=Bonilla-Bedoya | first8=Santiago | last9=Diaz | first9=Valeria | last10=Rybarczyk | first10=Yves | journal=Scientific Reports | volume=11 | issue=1 | page=17591 | pmid=34475460 | pmc=8413373 | bibcode=2021NatSR..1117591Z }}{{cite news |title='The fire releases our anger': Tire-burning becomes hallmark of Lebanon protests |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-fire-releases-our-anger-tire-burning-becomes-hallmark-of-lebanon-protests/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=[The Times of Israel](/source/The_Times_of_Israel) |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}} Because waste tires are readily available and produce dense smoke, protestors sometimes burn tires and create tire barriers as part of protest. For example, an analysis in ''[The Times of Israel](/source/The_Times_of_Israel)'' noticed an increasing trend of tire burning in the demonstrations following the [17 October Revolution](/source/17_October_Revolution). ==Notable tire fires== Some notable tire fires include: thumb|Tire fire used during protests * 1983 – Arsonists ignited seven million tires that burned for nine months in [Winchester, Virginia](/source/Winchester%2C_Virginia), polluting nearby areas with [lead](/source/lead) and [arsenic](/source/arsenic). The location was cleaned up as a [Superfund](/source/Superfund) project from 1983 to 2002.{{cite web|title=Rhinehart Tire Fire Dump|url=http://cfpub1.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0302772|work=Superfund Information Systems|publisher=[Environmental Protection Agency](/source/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency)|access-date=2006-03-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008231849/http://cfpub1.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0302772|archive-date=2006-10-08}} * 1984 – A pile estimated at four million tires, known locally as Mount Firestone, ignited in [Everett](/source/Everett%2C_Washington), Washington, and burned for months as the fire department was unable to extinguish it.{{cite news | title = The great Everett tire fire, 25 years later | first = Debra | last = Smith | url = http://www.heraldnet.com/news/the-great-everett-tire-fire-25-years-later/ | newspaper = [Everett Herald](/source/Everett_Herald) | access-date = 24 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161009180819/http://www.heraldnet.com/news/the-great-everett-tire-fire-25-years-later/ | archive-date = 9 October 2016 | url-status = live }} * 1989 – In [Heyope](/source/Heyope) (near [Knighton, Powys](/source/Knighton%2C_Powys), [Wales](/source/Wales)), a fire involving approximately 10 million tires began which still smouldered 15 years later.{{cite book|title=Environment Agency Wales: Regulation of Waste Management|url=http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Environment_Agency_Wales_Waste_Management_agw_2004.pdf|date=28 October 2004|page=33|publisher=National Audit Office|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308220156/http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Environment_Agency_Wales_Waste_Management_agw_2004.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2012|location=Wales|isbn=1-904219-23-3}} * 1990 – In [Hagersville, Ontario](/source/Hagersville%2C_Ontario), a [fire started in a pile](/source/Hagersville_Tire_Fire) of 12 to 14 million tires; it burned for 17 days and forced 4,000 people to evacuate.{{cite web|title=That Burning Sensation – Tire Fires|url=http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/tires/fires.html|publisher=Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council|access-date=2006-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104013903/http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/tires/fires.html|archive-date=2006-01-04|url-status=dead}} * 1993 - In [Inwood](/source/Inwood%2C_West_Virginia), [Berkeley County, West Virginia](/source/Berkeley_County%2C_West_Virginia), [Charles David Knox](/source/Charles_David_Knox), a local [volunteer firefighter](/source/volunteer_firefighter) in [Inwood](/source/Inwood%2C_West_Virginia), set fire to a 10 acre pile of tires; the fire burnt for 3 days before being brought under control. Mutual aid for tankers was called from as far away as Texas. The 1993 Inwood tire fire response was set as the example on how to fight tire fires; some of the techniques used in the 1993 Inwood tire fire are still used to this day.{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kevin |date=1993-09-15 |title=ARSON SUSPECTED IN W. VIRGINIA TIRE FIRE |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1993/09/15/arson-suspected-in-w-virginia-tire-fire/b2ec84e1-c1a6-4851-b3c0-c74ad1a19b99/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kevin |date=1993-09-29 |title=FIREFIGHTER IS CHARGED WITH ARSON |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1993/09/29/firefighter-is-charged-with-arson/121efa9b-2650-425b-b7c8-81a9fd61eb94/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |issn=0190-8286}} * 1994 – In [East Chicago, Indiana](/source/East_Chicago%2C_Indiana), a fire consumed 70,000 tons of tires and shredded rubber. It started on July 16, 1994 and burned until August 22, 1994.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/cleanup-from-tire-fire-of-nearly-complete/article_b98068c2-7a06-5e18-8e56-119d262a13d6.html|title=Cleanup from tire fire of 1994 nearly complete|last=Harvey|first=Lauri|work=nwitimes.com|access-date=2018-09-16|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916202321/https://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/cleanup-from-tire-fire-of-nearly-complete/article_b98068c2-7a06-5e18-8e56-119d262a13d6.html|archive-date=2018-09-16|url-status=live}} * 1995 – The Hornburg tire fire in [Sinclairville, New York](/source/Sinclairville%2C_New_York) burned over a million tires in a blaze lasting more than a week.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/24/nyregion/firefighters-battle-blaze-at-tire-mound.html |title=Firefighters Battle Blaze at Tire Mound - the New York Times |website=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |date=April 24, 1995 |access-date=2018-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723182153/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/24/nyregion/firefighters-battle-blaze-at-tire-mound.html |archive-date=2018-07-23 |url-status=live }} * 1995 - In [Grawn, Michigan](/source/Grawn%2C_Michigan), a tire fire from a retreading service at 5175 Sawyer Woods Drive burned for three weeks and resulted in [PFAS](/source/PFAS) contamination of local residential drinking water wells. The fire began on December 29, 1995.{{Cite web |title=Carl's Retreading (Grawn, Grand Traverse County) |url=https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/investigations/sites-aoi/grand-traverse-county/carls-retreading}} * 1996 – An [arson](/source/arson) in March at an illegal tire yard underneath a section of [I-95](/source/Interstate_95_in_Pennsylvania) in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) caused $6 million in damage and completely closed a section of the highway for weeks and partial closures for six months.{{Cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-14/news/25635708_1_tire-dump-illegal-tire-sandra-feitelson |title=I-95 Shut Down by Tire Fire Highway Damaged; Arsonists Sought |access-date=2012-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415174825/http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-14/news/25635708_1_tire-dump-illegal-tire-sandra-feitelson |archive-date=2016-04-15 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/keyword/tire-fire/featured/5 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415175101/http://articles.philly.com/keyword/tire-fire/featured/5 |archive-date=2016-04-15 |url-status=dead }} * 1998 – A [grass fire](/source/grass_fire) ignited the 7 million tires at the unlicensed S.F. Royster Tire Disposal Facility in [Tracy](/source/Tracy%2C_California), California. It was extinguished, after 26 months, with water and foam in December 2000.{{cite web|title=Tracy Tire Fire Remedial Action Plan|url=http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Projects/upload/TracyTireFire_FS_DRAP_0703.pdf|publisher=California Department of Toxic Substance Control|access-date=2006-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925160842/http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Projects/upload/TracyTireFire_FS_DRAP_0703.pdf|archive-date=2006-09-25|url-status=live}} * 1999 – On August 21, arsonists ignited the former Kirby Tire Recycling facility, containing an estimated 25 million tires located on {{convert|110|acre|km2}} near [Sycamore, Ohio](/source/Sycamore%2C_Ohio). The fire burned for 30 hours, involved over 250 firefighters, the [Ohio National Guard](/source/Ohio_National_Guard) and the [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency](/source/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency) (EPA) and caused significant environmental damage. The fire was controlled and finally extinguished in part by covering it with dirt. In the intervening years the EPA has performed a massive clean up effort on the site.{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/solidwaste/tires/large2.pdf|title=Kirby Tire Fire August 21st, 1999 Report Presentation|access-date=Aug 27, 2020}}{{dead link|date=July 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} * 1999 – [Lightning](/source/Lightning) struck a tire dump in [Westley, California](/source/Westley%2C_California), which burned for 30 days. [Pyrolitic](/source/Pyrolitic) oil flowed into a nearby stream and also ignited. * 2002 – The EnTire Tire Recycling facility in [Nebraska City, Nebraska](/source/Nebraska_City%2C_Nebraska) burned for over eleven days. An explosion occurred during the firefighting effort, injuring thirteen firefighters. Multiple evacuations of up to a 30-block area were ordered during the event. Over 40 agencies assisted during the event at an estimated cost of $1.4 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-145.pdf|title=USFA-TR-145 – Tire Recycling Facility Fire|website=US Fire Administration|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216045721/https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-145.pdf|archive-date=February 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} * 2005 – A fire started at Watertown Tire Recyclers in [Watertown, Wisconsin](/source/Watertown%2C_Wisconsin) on July 19 and burned for six days. 108 fire departments and more than 25 agencies assisted in handling the disaster.{{Cite web |url=http://watertowntirefire.com/ |title=Watertown Tire Fire |access-date=2017-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809235536/http://watertowntirefire.com/ |archive-date=2016-08-09 |url-status=live }} * 2008 – A malfunction in the chopper/shredder line of the Golden By-Products tire recycling plant in [Ballico, California](/source/Ballico%2C_California) ignited rubber debris around the conveyor system which then ignited two multi-ton piles of shredded/chopped rubber. It only burned for about 12 hours but took over 1 million gallons of water to extinguish. The piles were allowed to form a crust which in turn smothered the fires in them. The plant was later cited for exceeding permitted capacity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.valleyair.org/recent_news/News_Clippings/2008/In%20the%20News%2010-20-08.pdf|title=Merced County firefighters battle two rural blazes|website=www.valleyair.org|access-date=26 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rubbernews.com/article/20141016/NEWS/141019948/calrecycle-golden-by-products-reach-settlement|title=CalRecycle, Golden By-Products reach settlement|date=Oct 16, 2014|website=Rubber & Plastics News|access-date=Aug 27, 2020}} * 2012 – On January 27, 2012, a massive tire fire sparked at a [tire recycling](/source/tire_recycling) plant in [Lockport, New York](/source/Lockport%2C_New_York), causing dangerous amounts of soot and smoke to burn over the city for over 22 hours, causing serious damage to many homes. * 2012 – In [Sulaibiya](/source/Sulaibiya), [Kuwait](/source/Kuwait), a five million tire fire erupted on April 16, 2012.{{Cite web|title=Kuwait: Fire ripped through 25,000 square meters of Al Sulabiya tire site|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-fire-ripped-through-25000-square-meters-of-al-sulabiya-tire-site-1.74769506|access-date=2021-08-01|website=gulfnews.com|date=October 23, 2020 |language=en}} The fire was thought to be started deliberately by scrap metal hawkers looking to recover scrap metal. * 2012 – In [Iowa City](/source/Iowa_City), [Iowa](/source/Iowa), at approximately 6:45 p.m. on May 26, 2012, a fire started in the ground tire bedding material at the Iowa City Landfill, involving at least 7.5 acres of landfill. It was finally extinguished on June 12, 2012, after a "stir, burn and cover" operation.{{cite news | title = After 15 days, landfill fire is extinguished | first = Lee | last = Hermiston | url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/press_citizen/2684366631.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jun+12%2C+2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130419025425/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/press_citizen/2684366631.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jun+12,+2012 | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 19, 2013 | newspaper = [Iowa City Press Citizen](/source/Iowa_City_Press_Citizen) | access-date = 11 Jan 2013 }} * 2012 – Tire fire protests erupted all over [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon). Protesters used burning tires to cut off main roads in Lebanon.{{fact|date=December 2023}} * 2013 – Static electricity ignited a fire at J&R Tire Recycling in [Hoopeston, Illinois](/source/Hoopeston%2C_Illinois). Over 100 firefighters from two states fought the fire, in which over 50,000 tires burned, for three days.{{cite news|title=Hoopeston Fire|date= June 20, 2014|url=https://will.illinois.edu/tags/hoopeston-fire|work=WILL|access-date= April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031182835/https://will.illinois.edu/tags/hoopeston-fire|archive-date=October 31, 2015|url-status=live}} * 2013 – Tire fire ignited in [Nassau, Bahamas](/source/Nassau%2C_Bahamas). The poorly managed municipal dump has had multiple fires and finally resulted in a tire fire on August 13. * 2014 – Tire fire ignited in [Savannah, Georgia](/source/Savannah%2C_Georgia) on February 8, 2014. * 2015 – On August 18, in northwest Oklahoma, a tire fire in a large pile of tires next to the premises of A&T Tire and Wheel set the exterior of the business ablaze, but crews prevented flames from getting inside.{{cite news|title=Tire fire is out in northwest Oklahoma City Tuesday|date=August 18, 2015|url=http://newsok.com/article/5440854|work=NewsOK|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062907/http://newsok.com/article/5440854|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}} * 2015 – On August 18, a fire in Oregon disrupted the [Warm Springs](/source/Warm_Springs%2C_Oregon) Tribal Reservation. Erroneously referred to by locals and news media as a "tire fire", the blaze caused by the sparks formed from a recreational vehicle driving on a bare rim engulfed more than 60,000 acres of land at the reservation.{{cite news|title=Morning Edition: In Oregon, Warm Springs Fire Disrupts Tribal Reservation|work=NPR|date=August 19, 2015|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/08/19/432830843/in-oregon-warm-springs-fire-disrupts-tribal-reservation|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508172015/http://www.npr.org/2015/08/19/432830843/in-oregon-warm-springs-fire-disrupts-tribal-reservation|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=live}} * 2016 – On May 13, in [Seseña, Spain](/source/Sese%C3%B1a%2C_Spain), a fire started in a tire dump containing around 5 million tires.{{cite news|title=Spain: Massive Fire Breaks out at Tire Dump Near Madrid|work=ABC News|date=May 13, 2016|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/spanish-town-residents-ordered-indoors-tire-dump-blaze-39085166|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514001952/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/spanish-town-residents-ordered-indoors-tire-dump-blaze-39085166|archive-date=May 14, 2016|url-status=live}} * 2016 – On August 10, a tire fire sparked at Liberty Tire Recycling in [Lockport, New York](/source/Lockport%2C_New_York). Over 8 million pounds of [crumb rubber](/source/crumb_rubber) ignited, destroying four buildings and evacuating over 400 families from nearby homes.{{fact|date=December 2023}} * 2017 – On January 17, a tire fire started at [Federal Corporation](/source/Federal_Corporation) [Zhongli](/source/Zhongli_District) Factory in [Taoyuan, Taiwan](/source/Taoyuan%2C_Taiwan). More than half the factory (50,000 square meters) was on fire and over 140 families were evacuated from nearby homes. The area was heavily contaminated with [carbon black](/source/carbon_black). * 2017 – On March 5 at 10:58 pm, firefighters responded to a fire at the EnTire Recycling facility in [Phelps City, Missouri](/source/Phelps_City%2C_Missouri). Heavy smoke caused intermittent closure of Highway 136 and officials to advise nearby residents to avoid breathing the smoke, which could be seen over 10 miles away. This fire continued to smolder through August 2017. * 2020 – On July 22, firefighters in [Weld County, Colorado](/source/Weld_County%2C_Colorado) responded to a fire at a tire recycling facility. Early reports suggested a fire began on equipment which quickly spread to piles of tires. Local officials requested aid from a supertanker aircraft due to the size of the fire and unseasonably dry conditions.{{fact|date=December 2023}} * 2020 – On October 18, a massive fire in the [Sulaibiya](/source/Sulaibiya) tire graveyard, the site of a similar fire in 2012, burned approximately 1 million tires in 25,000 square meters. * 2020 - On November 16, 90 firefighters and 15 [appliances](/source/Firefighting_apparatus) attended a major fire involving 600,000 tires stored at a former go-karting facility in [Bradford](/source/Bradford), England. The fire was declared out a week later.{{cite news |author= |date=23 November 2020 |title=Bradford tyre fire: Crews still at scene of blaze a week on |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-55042282 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |access-date=16 January 2022}}{{cite news |last=Young |first=Chris |date=27 February 2021 |title=Every single West Yorkshire firefighter needed to tackle huge Bradford tyre blaze |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/every-single-west-yorkshire-firefighter-19929105 |work=Yorkshire Live |access-date=16 January 2022}} Three people were arrested in connection to the fire, however they were later released without charge.{{cite news |last=Winrow |first=Jo |date=26 November 2021 |title=Operator of site of major Bradford tyre fire faces court |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19741667.operator-site-major-bradford-tyre-fire-faces-court/ |work=[Telegraph & Argus](/source/Telegraph_%26_Argus) |location=Bradford |access-date=16 January 2022}} * 2021 — On November 9, approximately 100 firefighters responded to a tire fire at a recycling facility in southwest Philadelphia.{{Cite web|last=Moran|first=Robert|title=2-alarm junkyard fire erupts in Southwest Philly|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/fire-philadelphia-southwest-junkyard-20211109.html|access-date=2021-11-10|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=November 10, 2021 |language=en}} Unusual winds brought the fire's smoke across Philadelphia's [Center City](/source/Center_City%2C_Philadelphia) and into New Jersey.{{Cite web|title=Photos of the tire fire in Southwest Philly that sent plumes of smoke stretching for miles|url=https://billypenn.com/2021/11/09/tire-fire-southwest-philadelphia-smoke-visible-sunset-photos/|access-date=2021-11-10|website=Billy Penn|date=November 10, 2021 |language=en-US}} * 2022 — On October 13, a protestor started a [tire fire on Sitong Bridge](/source/2022_Beijing_Sitong_Bridge_protest) in [Beijing, China](/source/Beijing). The protester, dubbed "[Bridge Man](/source/Peng_Lifa)", used a tire fire to bring passersby attention to an unfurled banner criticising [General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party](/source/General_Secretary_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party) [Xi Jinping](/source/Xi_Jinping) and the [Zero-COVID](/source/Zero-COVID) policy.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-14 |title=China protest: Mystery Beijing demonstrator sparks online hunt and tributes |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-63252559 |access-date=2023-07-06}} ==In popular culture== In popular culture the phrase is used to mean a horrifying mess that seems to last forever.{{fact|date=May 2023}} The TV show ''[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)'' is set in a fictional town called Springfield, which features a permanent tire fire.{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Brian |date=2021-01-11 |title=Our Simpsons Expert Answers The World's Most Difficult Simpsons Questions |url=https://www.looper.com/310286/our-simpsons-expert-answers-the-worlds-most-difficult-simpsons-questions/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=[Looper](/source/Looper_(website)) |language=en-US}} In S01E02 of ''[The Walking Dead: World Beyond](/source/The_Walking_Dead%3A_World_Beyond)'', a tire fire called "The Blaze of Gory" was mentioned. ==See also== * [Necklacing](/source/Necklacing), an execution and torture method involving the victim being placed in a burning rubber tire * [Tire recycling](/source/Tire_recycling) * [Dumpster fire](/source/Dumpster_fire) * [Beijing Sitong Bridge protest](/source/Beijing_Sitong_Bridge_protest) * [Burnout](/source/Burnout_(disambiguation)) ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Commonscat}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090508090242/http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/tires/fires.htm U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Tire Fires] * [http://www.hse.gov.uk/rubber/spontaneous.htm UK Health and Safety Executive – Spontaneous Tire Ignition] {{Tires|state=collapsed}} Fire Category:Types of fire --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tire fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_fire) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_fire?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.