CHICAGO (AP) — The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued new rules about how to handle used tires.

State officials say the rules will apply to operators of tire disposal and storage sites and facilities that retread, stamp and die-cut tires. The rules are meant to protect from tire fires and breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes from standing water in tires.

The rules will require operators to change the way they store used tires both indoors and outdoors. The rules also will give emergency responders easier access to tire piles in case there’s a fire or other emergency.

Carrie Zalewski is a board member who helped develop the rules. She says a June 2013 tire fire near Hoopeston “focused everyone’s attention on the need for stronger regulations.”