18 WESTERN PALLET
Spotted lantern fly, originally from China, has invaded the US East Coast, and is expected to make its way to California. Credit: Stephen Asmus / USDA-ARS
Report from Atlas Pallets after Caliente Fire
This August has seen major fires hit pallet operations in California and Oregon.
On August 1, fire struck Atlas Wood Products and WPA-member Moreno Pallets at Otay Mesa in the San Diego, California area after a fire started in a nearby ravine, burning almost 500 acres. The fire initially did not appear to be a threat. "Far away, we saw that the little fire started, and then a fire truck was nearby, so at that point I thought everything was under control," Atlas Pallets owner Francisco Ramirez told ABC10. However, the canyon's shape and sudden gusts of wind fanned flames and put them in a collision course with pallet inventories at the two operations.
"The canyon has a different amount of fuel, so you get a change in the fuel. And also how the wind traverses or travels through a canyon affects the rate of spread," San Diego Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Chris Heiser told ABC.
According to Pancho Ramirez of Atlas Pallets, the yard, equipment and pallet inventory took the brunt of the damage. Approximately 60,000 pallets were lost.
Pallet Companies in Oregon and California Hit by Fire
News report includes interviews with Atlas Pallets and Moreno Pallets after the Caliente Fire