Staff Reports | Community Updates
The city of Scottsdale is warning residents about an increase in trash and recycling truck fires tied to the improper disposal of hazardous materials.
City officials said multiple recent incidents have placed sanitation workers, emergency responders and nearby neighborhoods at risk, according to a press release.
“The city has recently experienced multiple load fires in collection vehicles and many of these fires are preventable,” City Manager Greg Caton said. “By properly disposing of hazardous materials, residents can play a direct role in keeping our crews safe and our community protected. Each of these incidents puts our employees, first responders and the general public at risk.”
When a fire ignites inside a collection truck, drivers must act quickly. In some cases, crews are forced to dump the load onto the street to keep flames from spreading to the vehicle or nearby homes. While considered a safety measure, the action can disrupt traffic, affect neighborhoods and require an emergency response.
“These incidents have the potential to escalate quickly, threatening natural desert habitat, nearby homes and increasing wildfire risk, especially during hot, dry conditions,” Fire Chief Tom Shannon said. “If ignited materials are dumped during a load fire or sparks travel from collection activity, nearby desert areas can be vulnerable to fire ignition. Proper disposal of hazardous materials is one of the easiest ways residents can help prevent fires and keep Scottsdale safe.”
City investigations have identified several frequent sources of load fires:
Lithium-ion batteries found in phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, vape devices and toys, which can ignite or explode when crushed during collection.
Rechargeable devices such as electric toothbrushes and wireless headphones that contain hidden batteries.
Household hazardous waste including pool chemicals, propane cylinders, gasoline and flammable cleaning products.
Other ignition sources such as hot ashes, fireworks, ammunition or improperly discarded appliances.
How residents can help
Residents can take several steps to help prevent truck fires:
Do:
- Schedule a household hazardous waste pickup for chemicals, fuels and other hazardous materials.
- Take batteries to designated recycling locations.
- Tape battery terminals, especially lithium-ion and 9-volt batteries, before transport.
- Set aside rechargeable devices for proper disposal.
Do not:
- Place batteries in trash or recycling containers.
- Dispose of propane tanks, gasoline or pool chemicals in curbside bins.
- Throw away electronics or items containing rechargeable batteries.
City officials said proper disposal practices can reduce the risk of fires and help protect sanitation crews, neighborhoods and surrounding desert areas.
