The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a “shelter in place” warning as emergency services battle a major fire at a Florida industrial energy plant.
The warning was issued Friday as the blaze continues to burn at a renewable energy plant in Doral.
Parks and schools have been ordered closed in the area after the EPA declared the air quality “unhealthy.”
🚨#BREAKING: A massive fire breaks out at a renewable energy plant EPA advises residents to “shelter in place”
⁰📌#Doral | #FloridaA Massive fire broke out at a renewable energy plant in Doral, Florida and has been burning for over 5 days straight, spreading to multiple… pic.twitter.com/sGM7Xd51xc
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 17, 2023
Firefighters have been battling the fire a the Covanta waste-to-energy (WTE) facility since last Sunday.
Fire in Covanta Recycle Plant in Doral. #doral #covanta pic.twitter.com/Py5HEuQMHz
— Jorge Bernal (@JorgeBernal) February 12, 2023
According to NBC 6 South Florida, “Parks were closing, schools were impacted and residents near the Miami-Dade County waste-to-energy facility in Doral were urged to stay indoors Friday, after a report from the Environmental Protection Agency showed the air quality in the area at ‘unhealthy’ levels earlier this week.”
As our @MiamiDadeFire first responders continue fighting the Doral waste plant fire, residents may experience increased smoky conditions around the site today. Out of an abundance of caution, & based on EPA guidance, we recommend all residents in the impacted area remain indoors. pic.twitter.com/rrKadcJtdd
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) February 17, 2023
“As the firefighters gain greater access to the remaining blaze, we do anticipate an increase in smoky conditions,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
Local authorities are also recommending citizens in the area wear masks if they do have to go outside.
People are also urged to roll up their windows if they’re driving near the blaze.
After the federal government’s poor handling of the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, should Doral locals trust the EPA telling them it’s fine to stay in the area as long as they wear a mask and keep their vehicle windows up?
