A joint effort by county and city fire departments quickly contained a fire at Amador Complete Recycling last week, preventing it from spreading to neighboring properties along NW Frontage Road.

Over a dozen firefighters responded to the blaze at Amador Recycling.
Photos courtesy of Mark Mercer

Socorro County Fire Marshal Mark Mercer said Midway Fire Department initially responded to the fire at 2:23 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30.

“Upon arrival, firefighters found a fast-moving fire spreading to the east,” Mercer said.

High winds were a major concern and hampered efforts.

“I took a wind reading at one point and we were under sustained winds at roughly 23 to 25 mph, and gusts up to 30 to 33,” he said. “With the winds blowing as they were, we did have concerns about what we call spot fires, that is, smaller fires cropping up since the wind was going west to east. We did keep our eyes open for any type of spot fires, and fortunately, we did not have any.”

Firefighters requested help from Abyetas/Veguita VFD in the North Socorro County Fire District, San Antonio VFD, and the City of Socorro Fire Department. A total of five pieces of firefighting equipment and two command units were soon on the scene, Mercer said.

“We also had assistance from law enforcement to help us with traffic control and things of that nature,” he said.

A variety of combustible materials fueled the fire.

“It took two hours to get the fire under control,” Mercer said. “We had it completely out by 6 p.m.”

He said the fire was fueled by “a little bit of everything.”

“We’re talking about a recycling plant,” Mercer said. “You’re looking at oils, rubber, plastics, just a variety of different types of material. In a situation like this, we have to use other agents we call foam.”

Foam is an agent added to the water that creates a barrier to help smother the flames.

“This is what we use on hydrocarbon, gas, and diesel fires,” he said.

Mercer said the risk of fire spreading is greater when it’s windy and dry.

“Red Flag conditions are not uncommon this time of year,” he said. “We’re asking people not to do any outdoor burning. Any outdoor fires we have now – especially in the valley with the types of fuel and the dry drought conditions we’re in – any fire has the potential of becoming extremely dangerous and can spread quickly.”

The cause of the fire at Amador has not been determined.

Mercer commended the crews for the way they handled the fire.

“I want to give a big thanks to all the volunteer firefighters in Socorro County and the firefighters in the Socorro Fire Department,” he said. “We are all brothers and sisters and work great together. They did an excellent and efficient job.”

John Larson, El Defensor Chieftain