A slow-burning fire in a massive pile of compost closed an onramp to the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Irwindale Wednesday due to reduced visibility.

The fire was reported in the compost pile on what appeared to be the property of Cal Blend Soils in the 1200 block of East Arrow Highway around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County Fire Department Supervising Fire Dispatcher Miguel Nellis said.

The California Highway Patrol reported minimal visibility in the southbound lanes of the 605 in the hours after the fire started and closed the onramp from Arrow Highway. The onramp was expected to be closed for much of Wednesday.

Nellis described the compost pile as several stories high, with the fire deep-seated within the pile, which would have to be turned over before the blaze could be extinguished

—City News Service

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