FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. (News First) – The Fredericktown R-I School District has canceled classes for Friday, November 1st, due to air quality concerns regarding the Critical Mineral Recovery fire. The district shared a social media message clarifying its decision.
“To clarify our decision to close school today, no one (including school administration) has said the air quality is bad at this time. We decided to close school today based on information about plans for further fire suppression efforts that may create additional smoke and wind shifts that could carry that smoke toward the school campuses. With the potential for air quality to worsen today, we decided to close out of an abundance of caution rather than react later should the air quality worsen,” the district says.
The Fredericktown Fire Department continues to extinguish the blaze within the plant at 815 Highway 00 that broke out Wednesday afternoon around 1:15. Smoke is now intermittent with pockets of smoldering debris. The department continues to receive guidance and support from state and federal partners and contractors that specialize in the mitigation of industrial fires. Crews will continue to work for the next several days resulting in an active site.
