Del Papa demands action from Bridgestone-Firestone

Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000 | 2:43 a.m.

The company announced on Wednesday a three-tier recall starting with the states of Texas, California, Arizona and Florida because the largest number of tires that failed were in the warmest states.

Nevada would be in the second tier, where recalls aren't expected to begin until fall.

Del Papa said in a letter to the company on Friday that temperatures in southern Nevada have been over 100 for the past five weeks.

"It is, therefore, absurd not to place Nevada in tier one," she wrote. "In addition, the state has recently purchased vehicles with Firestone tires for the Division of Wildlife."

She said one wildlife vehicle experienced a blowout this month.

South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon also has threatened to sue if his and other Southern states weren't included in the recall immediately. His state isn't due for the replacement until next year.

Along with Nevada, states in the second tier are Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Two tire dealers - Les Schwab in Reno and Ted Wiens in Las Vegas have been authorized by Firestone to make immediate replacements, supplies permitting.

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