Denver Smoke drifts over I-70 after recycling yard fire, visibility drops for drivers
Denver Smoke spilled over Interstate 70 and Colorado Boulevard on Monday morning after a fire broke out at the Waste Management recycling yard on E. 48th Ave. The Denver Fire Department received the initial report at 6: 35 a. m. ET, with crews responding as smoke pushed into the surrounding metro area. Drivers in the area faced reduced visibility as the plume moved across major roadways.
What happened and where the smoke traveled
The fire was located at the Waste Management recycling yard on E. 48th Ave. in Denver. As the incident unfolded Monday morning, smoke spread beyond the facility and drifted over Interstate 70 and Colorado Boulevard, creating hazardous visibility conditions for people traveling through the corridor.
Video from AirTracker7 showed a large pile of cardboard boxes burning at the yard, while three fire engines worked on scene to put out remaining hot spots. The scene indicated an active suppression effort focused on controlling the fire and addressing areas still burning.
Denver Fire Department response
Chief Robert Murphy said the Denver Fire Department received the report of the fire at 6: 35 a. m. ET on Monday. Fire crews deployed to the facility and worked to contain the incident while smoke continued to impact nearby roads.
Drivers moving along Interstate 70 and near Colorado Boulevard were confronted with reduced visibility as the smoke plume passed over the roadway. Officials have not provided additional details in the available information on potential traffic impacts beyond the visibility concerns observed Monday morning.
Denver Smoke: immediate impacts for drivers
For commuters and commercial traffic, the most immediate effect was visibility, with Denver Smoke spilling across Interstate 70 and Colorado Boulevard during the morning hours. The smoke plume’s proximity to major routes raised immediate safety concerns for anyone traveling through the area at the time of the fire.
No further official statements are included in the available information regarding injuries, evacuations, or the cause of the fire.
Quick context
The incident occurred at a recycling yard, where video showed a large pile of cardboard boxes burning. Fire engines were seen addressing hot spots while smoke moved into the surrounding metro area.
What’s next
Fire crews were still engaged in suppressing remaining hot spots as the response continued Monday morning. Any updates on the fire’s status, roadway conditions, or lingering Denver Smoke impacts will depend on additional information released by the Denver Fire Department.
