In an early-morning incident on Monday, a fire erupted at the Grand Forks Landfill (2701 N. 69th St.), forcing the temporary closure of the facility. Local crews quickly mobilized, and by late morning the solid waste portion was reopened, while the inert landfill remains shut pending full containment.
City officials with the City of Grand Forks Public Works report that flames were first spotted around 4 a.m., when a resident observed smoke and fire at the site.
Heavy equipment—including bulldozers—was used to smother the blaze with dirt, a standard tactic for landfill fires.
While landfill fires are not everyday occurrences, they pose real risks: thick smoke, heat, and potential for spread, especially under windy conditions, none of which are ideal in our region. On Monday morning, winds approaching 30 mph complicated the response.
Thankfully, the solid waste section (where typical household and commercial trash is accepted) reopened by about 10 a.m. as crews judged the fire under control. But the inert landfill (used for materials like concrete, brick, soil) remains closed until further notice.
What this means for residents and businesses: If you have materials to drop off—notably inert materials—you’ll want to check the city’s website or call ahead before hauling them to the landfill. Service delays are possible and alternate arrangements may be needed.
Residents are also reminded of proper disposal for items like lithium-ion batteries, which can trigger fires in a landfill environment.
Our crews were able to get heavy equipment in, smother the fire with dirt and regain control,” said Sharon Lipsh, Public Works Director for the City of Grand Forks. “By late morning we reopened the solid waste area, but the inert fill section remains closed until full containment is confirmed.”
A city dispatch noted, “Wind conditions were not helping this morning, gusts near thirty miles per hour increased the challenge of smoke control.”
While the reopening of the solid waste section at the Grand Forks landfill brings relief, the inert fill area’s continued closure means the ripple effects will linger for residents and contractors hauling materials. Checking status ahead of time will save time—and potential frustration. Until full operations resume, city officials remind everyone: stay alert, follow disposal guidance, and thank the crews who worked through challenging conditions to protect the community and environment.
