LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is still accepting applications for grants supporting cleanup and reuse of scrap tires.

Castoff tires pose a fire risk and are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The grants pay to process them for use in paving products for roads, manufactured products and energy generation.

Grants are available for property owners to clean up old or abandoned scrap tire piles.

State officials say they’ll give priority to sites where tires were accumulated prior to Jan. 1, 1991. Also favored will be collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare or the environment.

Local units of government and nonprofit organizations can seek funding for cleanup days and roadside cleanup grants.

The application deadline is Sept. 28. Information is available online .