Escanaba Fire Raises Dirty Water Fears Flint Can Relate To

Here in Flint, when we hear the words “dirty water,” we all cringe a little, and for good reason. The phrase hits differently around here after what our city went through. So when news broke that folks up in Escanaba were being warned about possible dirty water after a major fire, you can bet it got our attention.

Fire Breaks Out at Race Ramps Plant

A massive fire in Escanaba had people looking twice at the sky Thursday afternoon after thick black smoke poured from the Race Ramps manufacturing plant on 20th Avenue North. The building, which made vehicle ramps out of industrial plastic, was already collapsing by the time firefighters arrived just after noon.

Smoke and Air Quality Warnings Issued

Crews from across Delta County jumped in to help as the dark plume of smoke drifted over the north side of town. With the fire burning through industrial materials, emergency alerts went out fast. People were told to close their windows, turn off air systems, and stay clear of the smoke. Fortunately, by 1:50 p.m., officials lifted the hazmat warning and said the air was no longer a concern.

Race Ramps was a total loss, but quick work by firefighters saved two neighboring businesses: Master Electric and the Escanaba Schools bus garage, though a few buses did suffer some damage. The good news: everyone got out safely, and no injuries were reported.

Investigators Searching for the Cause

As crews doused the flames, the City of Escanaba warned residents near the North Water Tower that their tap water might look a little off for a bit. If it turns dirty, the city says just let it run for five to ten minutes. If it stays that way, give the Water Department a call at 906-786-3291.

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The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Escanaba Public Safety says it was all hands on deck, with help from several fire departments, the Michigan State Police, and even the Red Cross.

Yellowstone Wildfire of 1988

The fires in 1988 burned 793,800 acres, 39% of Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres. After 30 years most of the parks lodgepole pines destroyed in 1988 have regenerated and are thriving.

Abandoned Fire Tower

How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

Besides being a fun fact to impress your friends during the finale, knowing what makes fireworks work is a reminder of just how intertwined our daily lives are with Earth’s natural resources. Some of these minerals are considered critical commodities, meaning they’re vital to modern life and can be difficult to source.

So the next time you see a shimmering white sparkle or a deep red bloom over the Mohawk River, you’ll know: there's real science, and some pretty rare elements behind all that beauty.

It all comes down to chemistry. When fireworks are launched, metallic compounds, also called mineral elements, are heated to really hot temperatures. And as they burn, they emit specific colors of light.

The more complex the mix, the more dazzling the display.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM