The fire this morning at the Prineville Freight Depot sent up a large plume of smoke that was starting to dissipate by late this afternoon, according to Crook County Fire and Rescue officials.
The fire was sparked at EnviroTech Services, on property owned by Prineville Freight Depot, a transportation hub three miles west of Prineville. Firefighters responded at 11:18 a.m. The blaze started when a worker’s shovel sparked, igniting a pile of metal filings, according to the fire department.
EnviroTech, which produces road deicer and dust products, also uses a chemical call zirconium, which is highly flammable, the fire department said.
When firefighters arrived, EnviroTech and the SMAF Environmental were on the scene, pouring dry cement over the flames, the fire department said.
Because of the zirconium chemical’s presence, water would only make the fire worse, the fire department said.
The smoke from the fire isn’t a health hazard, but those with respiratory problems should stay indoors, fire officials said.
Area schools kept students indoors for the day.
There were no evacuations and no injuries were reported.
