Fire official: Morning mulch blaze to smolder for days

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A Maricopa Fire Department official said Thursday an early morning fire at a recycling business near North Ralston Road and State Route 238 will smolder for days.

Brad Pitassi, a department spokesman, said city residents won’t likely see visible smoke, but if they do, it would be in the afternoon hours between 2 and 5 p.m. when the smoke rises with atmospheric changes. 

He advised any resident sensitive to smoke to stay indoors or roll up their windows while driving. 

The fire department responded to the business around 1 a.m. where two large outdoor piles of mulch were burning. 

Pitassi identified the business as Garick Organics and Recycling, a company that recycles green products such as yard clippings, pecan shells and wood. 

Crews stayed on scene for about five-and-a-half hours. The cause of the blaze has not been determined.