New Mexico issues health warning after fire in plastics facility

The fire started outside of the plant but it quickly spread and required more responders, officials said.

Published: August 7, 2023 1:57pm

The New Mexico city of Albuquerque issued a health warning after a major fire broke out in a nearby plastics facility, spreading hazardous pollutants. 

The blaze was "contained" Sunday evening and there is no more significant smoke, but firefighters are still on the scene monitoring hot spots, the county's environmental health agency said.

The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program issued a health alert Sunday over the fire. "Plastics are burning and the smoke contains hazardous air pollutants," officials said.

The fire started outside of the plant but it quickly spread and required more responders, officials said at a news conference.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue Lt. Jason Fejer said Sunday that fully extinguishing the inferno could potentially take days. Two acres of wildland had been burned as of Sunday.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on Twitter or Instagram.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News