Fire Sparks Again At Recycling Facility, Crews Fan Flames + Address Air Quality: BCoFD

DUNDALK, MD — A fire at a recycling facility rekindled five days after the plant burned in Dundalk.

Firefighters said they returned to Owl Metals on Thursday, announcing just before 10 a.m. that the flames sparked again at the pile of debris, where excavation was already underway.

The rubble had been smoldering for days, causing residents to wonder if the air quality was safe. The Maryland Department of the Environment warned neighbors that certain outdoor activities are not advised.

"Air quality samples taken today near the scene of the recycling center fire in Dundalk, when combined with weather conditions that could concentrate pollution, show that sensitive groups in that area should avoid outdoor activities and everyone in that area should limit strenuous outdoor activities," the MDE said on Facebook late Wednesday afternoon.

The MDE updates air quality forecasts daily at tinyurl.com/MDEcurrentair. The current air quality is rated as a decent "moderate" in the area.

"We operate a statewide air monitoring network that measures pollutants, including levels of fine particles, which could be a concern from a large fire. One of those monitoring sites is in Essex, about four miles north of the recycling facility," the MDE said in a Wednesday morning statement posted on the Baltimore County Fire Department's Facebook page. "Speaking generally, we encourage people to avoid exposure to smoke from fires when possible."

Read Patch's initial fire coverage to see photos of Saturday evening's three-alarm blaze that brought 100 responders to the plant at 1936 Rettman Lane.

Related: Fire At Recycling Plant Still Smoldering, Excavation Underway: BCoFD