BOISE - A large fire at a recycling center near the Boise Airport has been contained, but continues to smolder and send up large amounts of smoke. Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the night to make sure the fire did not reignite.
Eastbound winds are pushing the thick smoke over the Treasure Valley Monday morning.
The fire, which sent huge flames into the air, was first reported at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Orchard and Diamond streets.
According to the Boise Fire Department, the fire started in a large pile of tree branches and other debris at Diamond Street Recycling.
"It's got pallets, it's got stuff that hasn't been chipped up yet, it has stuff that has been chipped and it has the raw product and the raw green material," said Boise Fire battalion chief Tom Pawek. "Part of the problem is being able to separate the fuels from each other, spread them out enough to be able to put it out."
Officials said in a Twitter post that the fire burned about 12 acres.
Recycling #fire: Contained @ 6:15pm. 46 personnel utilized. 12 acres damaged. Crews staying through the night. pic.twitter.com/P98vQDiolp
— Boise Fire Dept. (@BoiseFire) August 29, 2016
At least one vehicle was seen burning near the debris fire. A plume of dark smoke could be seen from miles away.
Firefighters from the Boise and Kuna fire departments were fighting the blaze. The cause of the fire is undetermined.