Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media that an air quality warning was issued for Columbia County on October 27, because of smoke from a large scrap metal fire at the Port of Coeymans south of Albany. Fire companies from Albany and Greene counties helped battle the blaze. The fire was burning in a large pile of crushed cars and scrap metal, fire officials said. The site of the fire is rented by Eastern Metal Recycling and no buildings were damaged. Heavy black smoke from the blaze could be seen 15 miles away. Columbia County Emergency Management recommended that residents keep windows closed, air conditioners off, if possible, and recommended that people with a medical history of breathing issues avoid prolonged time outside, due to the amount of smoke in the air all day. The Hudson Fire Department was called to an odor of smoke at Columbia Memorial Health, but it turned out to be smoke from the Coeymans fire. The fire began at around 6:30 a.m., when departments from Selkirk, Ravena, Coeymans Hollow, and New Baltimore were sent to the scene at 2170 River Road. The large fire burned out of control until crews were able to knock it down about three hours later. Excavators were brought in to pull apart the large pile, so water could reach the areas that were burning. The piles of metal were three stories high in some areas. The State Department of Environmental Conservation responded to the scene with their Spill Response Team and Emergency Management, to work with firefighters and the state office of Fire Prevention and Control. The fire could burn for up to 24 hours before it is fully extinguished. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.