Ciudad Juárez tire fire deemed arson, authorities launch investigations

A fire broke out in the tire‑storage area adjacent to the municipal landfill in Ciudad Juárez, igniting roughly 250,000‑300,000 tires – about 10 % of the stockpile. Municipal officials, led by Mayor Héctor Rafael Ortiz Orpinel, described the blaze as an "attack" on the city and announced that the municipal government will file complaints with the state and federal prosecutors to determine responsibility.

Protection Civil director Sergio Rodríguez confirmed that the fire was deliberately set, noting that a tire does not ignite spontaneously and requires a heat source or accelerant. Early investigations cited witnesses who saw people near the site before the blaze began. The rapid response of the fire department, civil protection units and private‑sector water trucks limited the fire’s spread to approximately 10‑15 % of the stored tires, preventing a larger disaster.

Air‑quality monitors registered particulate levels up to 120 µg/m³, well above the national 24‑hour limit of 75 µg/m³, prompting health alerts for neighborhoods south of the city. No increase in respiratory‑related medical visits has been reported so far.

The municipal Urban Development and Ecology Secretariat (Sedue) plans to inspect the tire depot next week, in coordination with the federal environmental prosecutor (Profepa), to verify compliance with its special‑waste permit. Preventive measures introduced in recent years – such as dividing the storage area into separate quadrants – helped contain the fire and avoid a prolonged emergency.