Update: Longview firefighters expect to battle scrap metal blaze for several more hours
Officials issue shelter-in place advisory for nearby neighborhoods
Black and gray smoke billows into the sky in the area of Port of Longview off Industrial Way at about 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Longview fire oficials said they expect to battle the blaze until about nightfall. The blaze was sending smoke northwestward in the direction of Oregon Way north of the Lewis and Clark Bridge. No evacuations had been ordered, but fire officials advised residents near the port and Highlands neighborhood to shelter in place and to close windows and air intake systems as needed. Smoke was also drifting onto the St. Helens area and neighborhoods flanking Lake Sacajawea. The fire is burning at PNW Metal Recycling, 100 Paper Way, and pumping out a massive plume that was visible from across the lowland urban area. Fire officials were not immediately available to report further information. Check Lower Columbia Currents later for updates. Andre Stepankowsky photo
Meanwhile, the CONservative faithful in Longview are being led by Jim Walsh to vote for a repeal of the so-called millionaire's tax, which would leave the state hampered from doing things such as inspecting above-ground chemical tanks and scrap-metal recyclers. And for a cherry on this shit sundae, of course virtually all industries in America are simultaneously being deregulated federally.
What could possibly go wrong?