On March 1, 2024, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR)
notified EPA Region 7 of a tire fire approximately four miles east of Neosho, Missouri, at the Trouble Free Used Tires facility. State and local
agencies responded to suppress and extinguish the fire. Smoke from the fire impacted air quality for nearby residences. A Unified
Command (UC), comprised of MoDNR and local fire, was stood up and is currently focused on extinguishing the fire. No evacuations have been ordered.
The UC requested assistance from EPA to conduct air monitoring during the incident. Two OSCs and two START contractors deployed on March 1, with the requested monitoring and sampling equipment. Three air monitoring stations were established and are collecting continuous data. Samples for laboratory analysis have also been collected and will be analyzed for volatiles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The response is likely to continue through the week of March 4, as state responders continue working to extinguish the fire. EPA response crews will continue providing air monitoring support during the incident.
