A fire at a recycling center Sunday in central Bakersfield shut down both west and eastbound lanes of SR 204 between M and Q Streets.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. The fire was caught on video as 500 pieces of cardboard and plastic burned.
It is unknown how the smoke might have affected air quality or if any chemicals were released by burning plastic.
Witnesses who rushed to ensure no one was in danger said the fire spread rapidly, as plumes of black smoke were clearly visible from across Bakersfield.
