July 8, 2024 3:50 a.m.

Crews with Central Douglas Fire & Rescue dealt with a fire at the Douglas County Landfill on Sunday.

Battalion Chief Josh Waechter said a fire in the trash at the top of the facility was reported just after 4:15 p.m. Waechter said several reports were called in to dispatch regarding heavy smoke in the area above the disposal and recycling center.

Initial units arrived on the scene to find a working landfill fire. Access to the seat of the fire was difficult due to the area that was burning. Waechter said the burn was in the center of the landfill and crews had to fight the fire from a distance to stay out of the garbage while avoiding the toxic smoke being produced by the fire. CDF&R crews worked with landfill employees to contain the fire and prevent it from extending to other areas of the landfill. Waechter said at one point the fire had extended to some nearby grass which was quickly extinguished by on-scene crews, preventing the fire from getting out of hand. After ensuring that the fire was well contained, and no more risk of spread was a concern, fire units turned over the scene to landfill employees to bury with their excavation equipment.

Waechter said CDF&R responded to the incident with eight pieces of equipment, totaling 17 paid and volunteer personnel. Waechter said the fire was difficult for crews due to the high heat and toxic smoke. Crews on the scene were assisted by Douglas County Sold Waste personnel, the Douglas Forest Protective Association and Pacific Power.

Pictures from the fire are posted at www.541radio.com