A massive fire broke out early Thursday morning at a recycling center near an elementary school in the Banta community of San Joaquin County, with wooden pallets at the GMA Pallet Recycling Corporation serving as fuel for the blaze. Fire officials struggled to control the flames, as the lack of a water supply in the area required them to shuttle water in, making it difficult to contain the fire. The fire chief stated that the unique challenge with pallets is their ability to easily create large fires due to their dry wood composition and gaps between rows, resulting in a significant portion of the yard being engulfed in flames before gaining control.
The fire prompted the evacuation of 19 homes near the area of the fire, with six homes considered to be at the greatest risk. Banta Elementary School also had to close for the day due to the fire. Fire crews continue to work on fully containing and extinguishing the fire, with concerns about potential hot spots. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and there have been no reported injuries so far.
Road closures are in effect in the area between Grant Line Road and Chabot Court, with no estimated time for reopening. Meteorologist Tamara Berg advised residents to stay indoors if they can smell the smoke due to fine particulates in the air. As the situation continues to develop, KCRA 3 provides ongoing coverage and updates on the incident.