A fire that started Tuesday afternoon at a recycling plant in the eastern Indiana city of Richmond is still emitting toxic smoke. Local officials issued evacuation orders for about 2,000 people as it is expected to burn for days. Via CNN:

Early air monitoring results are expected early Wednesday, Wayne County officials said. Plastics were among the items burning at the plant, and the smoke – a thick, black column rose from the site Tuesday – is “definitely toxic,” Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones said in a news briefing.

“There is a host of different chemicals that plastics give off when they’re on fire, and it’s concerning,” Jones said Tuesday evening, adding he expects the fire to burn for days.

An evacuation order was put in place for residents within a half-mile of the fire, and authorities could change the order if the direction of the wind shifts, Jones said. Residents downwind of the evacuation zone – to the east and northeast – were being encouraged to shelter in place and bring pets indoors.