A fire continued to burn at tire recycling facility along an east-west transportation hub in Northwest Missouri. Officials closed U.S. Highway 136 between Rock Port and Route D “due to lack of visibility from smoke in the Phelps City area.” A thick column of toxic black smoke poured out of a concrete building at the Entire Recycling facility. The plume was visible for miles.

That fire was reported to Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley’s office at 10:50 pm Sunday. Firefighters from Rock Port, Watson, Tarkio, Fairfax and Westboro responded and many were still on the scene by 2:00 pm Monday. Wiley said the Entire Recycling facility was still fully engulfed in flame Monday afternoon, and it was expected to remain that way “for the foreseeable future.”

“…the next few hours to a few days,” Wiley said. “We’re not really sure how long this is going to take.” She says its difficult to predict because there are a lot of tires in and around the facility fueling the fire, and gusty winds fanning the flames.

Emergency responders were monitoring the weather, fearing a shift in the wind could send that toxic smoke into Rock Port. The Atchison County Emergency Management Department urged residents in the area to “make plans now to stay safe.”

They also were conferring with railroad officials in an effort to stop rail traffic in the area.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said the highway could be closed for a couple of days due to the smoke.

According to Atchison County Emergency Management, the smoke from burning tire refuse could be toxic.  It could also cause harm to animals. They strongly advised to stay out of the smoke.

Atchison Co, Mo. US Rte 136 west of Rock Port. Road closed due to thick, black smoke from a tire fire. Could be closed for a couple of days. pic.twitter.com/I16hrpCLtp

— MoDOT Northwest (@ModotNorthwest) March 6, 2017