At 6:45 AM on December 9, 2024, Watertown Fire Rescue was dispatched to a fire at the Watertown Regional Landfill. The fire was located in the main garbage cell and was intensified by high winds. Landfill staff discovered the fire upon arriving for the day. Watertown Fire Rescue deployed Battalion 1, Engine 1, Tender 1, and Brush 2 to the scene.
Upon arrival, crews found the fire burning along the operating face of the garbage cell. They used water to reduce the high heat and stayed on-site to cool down the landfill's bulldozer. The fire was ultimately extinguished by landfill crews, who used their land scrapers and bulldozer to cover the entire cell and smother the flames. Watertown Fire Rescue remained on the scene for four and a half hours.
While the cause of the fire is undetermined, we would like to remind citizens not to dispose of lithium-ion batteries in residential trash. Lithium-ion batteries can easily cause a fire when they are damaged. Common household items with lithium-ion batteries include laptops, tablets, mobile phones, e-cigarettes, power tools, drones, remote control cars, e-bikes, and e-scooters.