Shifts in wind could significantly boost the number of people subject tounhealthy smoke exposure in Puerto Rico, where a major petroleum fire continuesto burn uncontrolled on Sunday. More than 1,500 people have been forced to fleetheir homes due to the massive fire.The large blaze, which broke out with a severe explosion very early on Fridaymorning, has been pouring heavy towers of thick, noxious smoke high into theair above the city of San Juan.
The site is a fuel storage complex located within Bayamon, immediately west ofSan Juan. Owing to a southeasterly wind direction, the pall of smoke had beenangling out to sea. On Saturday, wind direction became nearly east to west,meaning that the path of smoke down wind became nearly parallel to the northshore of the island.
There will be a further shift in wind today. Winds will blow from the east andthe east-northeast meaning that the wind will angle onshore instead of anglingoff shore at the time the blaze broke out. Thus, buildings housing asignificant population westward from the site will be subject to direct smokeexposure during at least the next day or two, at least as long as the firekeeps burning.
Story By AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews.
