A massive fire broke out at a renewable energy plant in Doral, Florida on Sunday and has been burning for six consecutive days.
Mayor of Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava held a news conference on Thursday where she thanked the first responders who have been working tirelessly since the fire began to ensure the safety of the residents of Doral, Doral Family Journal reported.
“I want to thank the men and women of Miami-Dade fire and police departments for their extraordinary work, they have been working around the clock this week,” Levine Cava said. “Thank you also to our solid waste team that has been working to ensure the minimal impact of waste services across the county.”
The mayor said that there has been “minimal change” and that the fire is still burning inside two buildings.
“To create additional access to the fire, our teams began a partial demolition of the space yesterday and they are making steady progress.”
Mayor Cava released a statement on Friday urging the residents to stay indoor.
“As our Miami-Dade Fire first responders continue fighting the Doral waste plant fire, residents may experience increased smoky conditions around the site today. Out of an abundance of caution, & based on EPA guidance, we recommend all residents in the impacted area remain indoors,” Cava wrote.
A report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was released on Thursday, stating that smoke from the waste-to-energy incinerator fire posed a significant health risk to warrant a “shelter in place” advisory for residents in Doral’s western side, AOL reported.
Watch the video below:
NBC reported:
Parks were closing, schools were impacted and residents near the Miami-Dade County waste-to-energy facility in Doral were urged to stay indoors Friday, after a report from the Environmental Protection Agency showed the air quality in the area at “unhealthy” levels earlier this week.
According to the EPA report released Thursday, there were two separate times on Wednesday when the air quality reached “unhealthy” levels, once at 7 p.m. and the other between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. near the west side of the plant.
In a statement Friday posted to the county’s waste fire website, Miami-Dade officials urged all residents residing between Northwest 74th Street and Northwest 92nd Street, and Northwest 92nd Avenue to Northwest 112th Avenue, to remain indoors throughout the day.
“Anyone with preexisting respiratory and cardiac conditions, as well as older adults, young children, and expectant mothers, should take extra precautions, such as wearing a mask if you need to be outdoors,” the county’s message read.
At a news conference, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said they temporarily suspended operations Friday morning for the demolition of a wall, which led to an increase in the smoky conditions.
In addition, out of an abundance of caution and based on EPA recommendations, Doral Glades Park and Doral Legacy Park are closed effective immediately until further notice, Doral city officials said. All outdoor programming and events at all other parks will be rescheduled to a later date. All Doral Building inspections scheduled for Friday will be rescheduled to Tuesday, February 21st.