Those headed home at rush hour Friday evening watched a huge plume of black smoke rising from the Ontario area, as a recycling plant went up in ashes. On what otherwise was a clear day—this photo was taken 6 miles away—the clouds from the fire could be seen from around the Southland. The fire continued to smolder for hours after it started because of the large number of cardboard pallets stored at the facility. Over 65 firefighters were used to put out the blaze. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger