Tire fire

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A tire fire in Minto, New Brunswick, Canada Tire fire in Minto, NB.jpg
A tire fire in Minto, New Brunswick, Canada

Tire fires are events that involve the combustion of large quantities of tires, usually waste tires, typically in locations where they are stored, dumped, or processed. They exist in two forms: as fast-burning events, leading to almost immediate loss of control, and as slow-burning pyrolysis which can continue for over a decade. They are noted for being difficult to extinguish. Such fires produce much smoke, which carries toxic chemicals from the breakdown of synthetic rubber compounds while burning. [1]

Contents

Tire fires are normally the result of arson or improper manipulation with open fire. Tires are not prone to self-ignition, as a tire must be heated to at least 400 degrees Celsius (750 degrees Fahrenheit) for a period of several minutes prior to ignition.

A deliberately set fire during a protest in Lille, France observed by emergency workers waiting to manage the fire. Manifestation de pompiers Feu de pneus devant prefecture Lille 27 juin 2017a 01.jpg
A deliberately set fire during a protest in Lille, France observed by emergency workers waiting to manage the fire.

When tirers are piled up and get wet, water may diffuse to the carcasses and steel will rust, this is an exotherem reaction (oxidation). Rubber itself is good insulating, and within the piled/dumped masses temperaturw will rise. At about 60 deg. C rotten rubber will split of Methane and later cyclic hydrocarbons as Touluol an Xylol. High inflamable and volatile substance. This fumes, gettin on the surface of the pile may easyly be ignited, and the process within the pile starts. Its not about the combustion temberatur of the tires, it is about the combustion temperartur of degrading produsts of rotten tires. The metalparts of the tires are involved in this processes to keep the temperature and cause flash backs.

The hot wires act as kind of "glowing spiral" in a storm lighter Zippo with its steel insert in the wick, restarting the fire, when blown out. Thats why burning tires are hard to be extinghuished.

Extinguishing tire fires is difficult. The fire releases a dark, rich smoke that contains cyanide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and products of butadiene and styrene. Burning tires are heated, and, as they have a low thermal conductivity, they are difficult to cool down. Moreover, they frequently burn inside even if they are extinguished from outside, and easily reignite when hot. One possible remedy is to cover the fire with sand, reducing the supply of oxygen and the exhaust of smoke. After extinguishing and cooling down (which may last several days), toxic chemicals can be neutralized. [2]

Use in protest

Tires being burned as part of the 2018-2023 Haitian crisis 2019 Haitian protests tire fire.png
Tires being burned as part of the 2018–2023 Haitian crisis

Protestors are known to burn tires as part of protests. [3] [4] Because waste tires are readily available and produce dense smoke, protestors sometimes burn tires and create tire barriers as part of protest. [5] For example, an analysis in The Times of Israel noticed an increasing trend of tire burning in the demonstrations following the 17 October Revolution. [6]

Notable tire fires

Some notable tire fires include:

In popular culture the phrase is used to mean a horrifying mess that seems to last forever.[ citation needed ]

The TV show The Simpsons is set in a fictional town called Springfield, which features a permanent tire fire. [37]

In S01E02 of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, a tire fire called "The Blaze of Gory" was mentioned.

See also

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