Unattended open pit fire causes heavy smoke near neighborhoods, Tucson AZ
Fire & ArsonFire crews responded to an unattended open pit fire at a green waste facility near Harrison Road. The fire produced heavy smoke that drifted into nearby neighborhoods. No one was at the site when crews arrived, and the fire had recently been restarted. Firefighters faced difficulty accessing the fire due to mud. Authorities planned to have an inspector check if the facility had the proper permits for burning. The smoke prompted multiple calls from the community.
Audio|Source: Tucson Police/Fire Citywide
08:25
Transcript:
00:00
Engine 5. Fire alarm.
00:02
Location details given.
00:07
Respond on A3 North.
00:13
Copy. Let me call Antoine and then confirm because Antoine and Harrison are still both inside.
00:24
And then leave the scene.
00:26
A lot of smoke was produced, so a passing driver called about smoke drifting into neighborhoods.
00:31
We're trying to put it out right now with.
00:36
Trying to put it out with a tanker onsite.
00:40
We can't get our engine close because of mud; concerned about getting stuck.
00:45
Wondering what to do if we can't fully extinguish.
00:52
Fire 840s out.
00:56
Agent 17 to 10.3, any exposure concerns?
01:04
No, same as before.
01:06
Area refilled with wet green material from rain, smoking heavily.
01:12
Smoke is pervasive.
01:16
Have on-call inspector contact owner to check for permit.
01:33
Does that sound good?
01:37
That sounds good.
01:38
Not sure if we can make contact.
01:40
No one at facility that we can see.
01:43
We'll get inspector on and have them assess.
01:52
Send fire alarm battalion 3.
01:54
Will have inspector speak with Engine 17.
02:01
Affirmative.
02:14
Clear St. Mary.
02:15
Are we clear for code 7?
02:20
Affirmative.
02:24
Copy. Thank you.
02:34
316.14.
02:36
Thank you. It's P.U.
02:41
1553.
02:45
T23-2-104.
02:52
Descriptions of individuals walking down towards 10th.
03:01
One was holding the other down.
03:07
Acknowledged, is 850.
03:13
At the western door, ready to talk in the lot.
03:19
Moving out.
03:25
Let him be back on your five.
03:31
One out of four one, one nine four seven.
03:33
Back on the line with the complainant.
03:35
Caller states mother advised not to call police; suspect named Leonie Highclay born 2007 left the area.
03:47
Okay.
03:52
No other reasons mentioned.
03:56
Suspect wearing pink dress with Ouija board design.
04:02
Copy.
04:07
E3-5.
04:11
Go ahead.
04:14
Copy, supplement suspicious activity call.
04:18
Stuff where you are telling me.
04:20
Supplement suspicious activity at near West Aberdeen Street.
04:26
Show you 1021, 50, 55.
04:33
Fico, female screaming, yelling for help near a group under the bridge.
04:43
Is there a second unit disabled and clear?
04:50
North Alwood.
04:56
Last update they were pushing a bike walking west on bike path.
05:02
Got description of three out of the group.
05:07
Hispanic male 30s, heavyset, beard, white shirt.
05:11
Hispanic female, black sweatpants, black pants.
05:14
And a white male brown Carhart jacket.
05:21
Last scene walking westbound on bike path.
05:27
My coffee.
05:32
5056.
05:38
We're at Green Limesville and Harrison.
05:41
We were here last year; open pit burning unattended.
05:47
It was intentional.
05:49
Was not making much smoke; no exposure, so we left.
05:56
Shift was here last week, talked to someone on site during business hours who said they had a permit but it was not visible.
06:06
No one at site now.
06:08
Site closed, but someone came within last hour, removed ashes, refilled with green material, and started a new fire.
06:16
Fire rate 4010.
06:22
Now getting smoke calls from area.
06:24
Smoke coming from deep pits.
06:26
Pit is about 50 feet deep, maybe more.
06:30
Pit inside a pit.
06:32
Smoke drifting into nearby neighborhood on east side of Harrison.
06:40
Five and eight, four days, half.
06:44
Calls regarding injury and medical response.
06:51
Go ahead, Medi15.
06:55
Having some computer trouble.
06:56
Is anyone on truck recalling their sugar level?
07:02
Sugar is 115.
07:03
Report just uploaded; might be better.
07:10
Medi 15 covers 115, thank you.
07:17
Swerving between lanes, cutting off drivers, going southbound.
07:22
1558.
07:27
Code 900.
07:32
104.
07:33
No one 108; trying to get someone freed up ASAP.
07:43
I have a copy.
07:44
Thank you.
07:46
358 Big Star Trail, near North and West.
07:56
Respond on May 6 West.
08:03
Green waste.
08:04
That's the main issue.
08:07
That's affirmative.
08:09
Fire left unattended.
08:11
Producing smoke.
08:12
Smoke entering neighborhoods.
08:15
Receiving fire calls.
08:17
Fire started within last hour.
08:20
Fresh tracks in mud; gate locked when they left.
Disclaimer:
This transcript was automatically generated and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify the information independently.
Location mentioned:
Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747
This shows a Google Street View of the area near the location, which might not be the exact address.
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