Landfill blaze burning through construction waste
The fire sent a plume of black smoke towering into the air above the landfill Monday evening.
Updated: 8:55 p.m.
What you need to know:
- A fire broke out early Monday evening in a construction and demolition cell at the Mat-Su Central Landfill. The fire was not at risk of spreading, officials said.
- The fire sent a large plume of black smoke that was visible for miles.
- Crews from across the Mat-Su Borough battled the blaze. Emergency medical personnel were on hand to assess first responders.
PALMER — A fire that broke out early Monday evening at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Central Landfill in an area used for construction and demolition waste is not at risk of spreading, borough emergency officials said.
The fire sent a large plume of black smoke that was visible for miles as crews worked for more than an hour to contain the blaze.
The fire was primarily limited to woody construction debris in a 150-by-150-foot area, borough emergency services director Ken Barkley said. While initial reports said no plastics or tires were involved in the blaze, photos posted to the borough's Facebook account showed some tires on fire.
Crews from Central Mat-Su, Palmer, Sutton, Butte, Willow, Houston and West Lakes fire departments responded. Emergency medical personnel were on scene to monitor first responders, Barkley said.
An Alaska State Trooper patrol vehicle blocked the landfill entrance as a stream of curious onlookers drove through the area.
Water tenders were filling trucks at fire hydrants on the Mat-Su College campus about 3 miles from the landfill entrance.
Fire crews were expected to remain on site overnight to monitor the area, borough officials said in a social media post.
The fire was first reported at about 5:15 p.m.
The landfill, located on 49th State Street near Palmer, was closed to the public at the time of the blaze. The landfill closes at 5 p.m.
A November 2024 blaze that started in a construction and demolition waste cell spread to nearby tires temporarily stored in the area. Improperly dumped trash caused the fire, landfill manager Jeff Smith said at the time.
— Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com.