Officials are still investigating after Monday’s fire at All Ontario Recycling in Barrie.
Emergency crews were called to the Tiffin Street facility at about 11 a.m. on Aug. 19.
Thick plumes of black and grey smoke could be seen around Barrie emanating from the fire scene. A Barrie Fire official previously told BarrieToday that the fire was outside the building and involved several recycled vehicles.
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOE) "staff are at the scene to assess potential impacts from the fire,” the MOE's Gary Wheeler said late Monday afternoon. “Currently, the Barrie fire department has the fire under control and is managing hot spots.
“The ministry recommends residents contact Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit with any health-related questions about exposure to smoke,” he added.
Assistant Fire Chief Justin Gilbert was asked by BarrieToday if there are concerns about the air quality in that area, or anywhere else in Barrie, because of the fire.
“Not that we have concerns with at this point,” he said early Monday afternoon. “The Ministry of Environment has been notified and are on site, so they are taking care of all things related to that (air quality) at this point.”
Barrie Fire and Emergency Service had this advice to people in the neighbourhood, other than the ones being evacuated, about the smoke.
“Just staying away from the scene itself,” Gilbert said. “But there are no immediate concerns that we have and the Ministry of Environment is there to take care of any environmental issues that come up.”
He said it was his understanding that MOE officials would be measuring air quality at the scene, which is located between Ferndale Drive and Patterson Road.
A Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit official said Monday afternoon the MOE is responsible for assessing air quality and would be the most appropriate source of information at that time.
But Ramien Sereshk, a program co-ordinator with the health unit's healthy environments and vector-borne diseases program, offered some advice.
Smoke exposure may pose a risk for more vulnerable individuals such as children, elderly individuals and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, Sereshk said. Steps can be taken to minimize exposure to smoke.
If you live close to the fire site, and have chronic health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease, you may wish to minimize your exposure by staying indoors during the event.
If you have health concerns, follow up with your health-care provider, said Sereshk, a member of the health unit’s environmental health department.
If you have concerns regarding exposure to smoke while outdoors, consider reducing your outdoor physical activities near the affected area.
To help reduce smoke in your homes and businesses, keep windows and doors closed.