Tire fire

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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: fast-burning combustion and slow-burning pyrolysis that can continue for more than a decade. Tire fires are difficult to extinguish. They produce much smoke, which carries toxic chemicals from the breakdown of synthetic rubber compounds while burning. Tire fires are normally the result of arson or improper manipulation with open fire. Igniting a tire requires heating it to at least 400 degrees Celsius (750 degrees Fahrenheit) for several minutes, so tires are not prone to spontaneous combustion. When tires are piled up and get wet, water may diffuse to the carcasses and steel will rust; this is an exothermic reaction (oxidation). Rubber itself is a good insulator, and within the masses temperature will continuously rise. At about 60 degrees Celsius, rotten rubber will emit methane and later cyclic...

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