Rubber Fire at Iowa City Landfill Sends Up A Giant Plume of Smoke, Authorities Say Fire is Contained

A rubber fire at the  has sent up a huge plume of black smoke that could be seen throughout the Iowa City area Saturday evening.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Iowa City Fire Department Battalion Chief Brian Greer has assured them that the fire, which is affecting some of the rubber used to cover the landfill, will pose no danger. The smoke, on the other hand, could cause some problems.

Greer said the fire doesn’t pose a danger to anyone, but the smoke, which is coming from the oil-based rubber could cause problems for those with breathing ailments. The billowing cloud of dark smoke is moving north and is only becoming thicker with the wind. Dozens of passersby stopped their cars at the entrance to the landfill for a look at the smoke.

Greer said that fire fighters would monitor the fire overnight.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen has a video of the smoke. They are reporting that the fire call was received a little before 7 p.m. and that several agencies responded to the scene. No injuries have been reported so far.