On the night of August 9, 2023, a fire at Schnitzer Steel / Radius Recycling facility in Oakland made quite the scene with thick plumes of smoke permeating the air, escalating concerns over air quality for nearby residents and workers. The fire was first reported around 5:30 PM and was mostly contained by 6:30 PM, thanks to the swift actions of Oakland Fire Crews, San Francisco fire boats, and the City of Alameda fireboats.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, it is reported that the fire originated in a large pile of debris at Schnitzer Steel / Radius Recycling, a company known for its recycling efforts in the area. With the fire contained, Oakland Fire crews made significant progress in dismantling the debris pile and suppressing any remaining hotspots. The hazardous materials (HazMat) teams and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency were called to the scene to assess the situation and evaluate the conditions for several hours overnight.
Due to the overwhelming amount of smoke caused by the fire, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) issued an air quality advisory affecting Oakland, San Leandro, Fremont, and Alameda, with potential impacts reaching as far south as San Jose according to the City of Oakland. To ensure the safety of the community, residents are advised to stay indoors with windows and doors shut, and to set their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate, preventing outside air from entering. Meanwhile, the Department of Workplace Health and Safety at the City of Oakland have assured the public that if there are any significant changes in air quality, appropriate actions will be taken.
"Schnitzer Steel has informed the City that it has a system already in place with EBMUD whereby excess water on site – including runoff from OFD addressing the fire – is pumped, collected, filtered, and processed to prevent hazardous runoff into the Bay..."@KTVU
— Dave Detling (@DaveKTVU) August 10, 2023
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Today, the local Air Quality Index (AQI) has been classified as moderate, with no restrictions on outdoor work. To stay informed about the ongoing situation and monitor the air quality in real-time, residents are encouraged to visit fire.airnow.gov.
In the aftermath of this fiery fiasco, Schnitzer Steel / Radius Recycling has assured the city that they have a system in place with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to mitigate any hazardous runoff from affecting the Bay according to Oaklandca.gov. This makes it clear that while the situation is being handled with great efficiency, it is essential for businesses in high-risk areas to implement precautionary measures and emergency response systems to minimize environmental impact and protect public health.
As the City of Oakland works diligently to address the fire incident at Schnitzer Steel / Radius Recycling, the public's concern for air quality is justified. It serves as a reminder for both the residents and local authorities to stay aware of potential hazards and work collaboratively to maintain a safe, healthy environment. For more information on air quality, you can contact BAAQMD at [email protected].
