Update: Hours-long effort brings fire at Yuba City-area recycling business under control

Multiple firefighting agencies worked this weekend to contain a fire at a metal recycling facility west of Yuba City, with mop-up work continuing Sunday.

The Sutter County Fire Department responded about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to the Empire Steel Facility on the 3000 block of North Township road, county Fire Department Chief John Shalowitz told The Bee.

In a Facebook post that afternoon, Yuba City Firefighters asked people to “avoid the area if possible,” anticipating that crews would be at the scene for several hours.

Flammable mix

With the help of more than 70 emergency personnel from Sutter, Yuba, Colusa, Placer and Butte counties, the fire was brought under control late Saturday, according to Shalowitz. Fire crews continued to monitor the scene throughout Sunday.

According to Shalowitz, the fire began in a large debris pile and involved “multiple types of flammable materials mixed with metal components from different types of appliances.” Shalowitz added that the flammable materials involved meant that firefighters had to apply a large amount of water.

The Cal Fire Butte Unit reported on Saturday that it was assisting Sutter County Fire with a battalion chief, a dozer and four engines and one engine from Oroville.

Firefighter hurt; fire’s cause still unknown

One firefighter suffered a “minor heat-related injury” Saturday and was treated and released, according to Shalowitz.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but Shalowitz told The Bee that it did not appear to be “malicious in nature.”

This story was originally published June 25, 2022 at 6:29 PM.