Only You Can Stop Trash Truck Fires

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — Only you can stop a garbage truck fire, Waste Management of Orange County says. With summer, more time around the pool and grilling outdoors, proper coal disposal becomes a true problem.

Last year, a Lake Forest garbage truck burst into flames. Coals left smoldering can start up such an event, Steevie Bereiter, Area Safety Manager for Waste Management said.

Now, they are urging communities to practice proper disposal of coals and of hazardous household materials in an effort to help prevent heat-related cart and collection truck fires.

"Whether you’re enjoying time with your friends and family grilling burgers around the pool or making s’mores, it can easily turn dangerous if proper disposal of coals and of pool chemicals are not followed," Bereiter said. “Because safety is our top priority, we are asking community members to follow safe disposal practices in order to keep their loved ones and our dedicated drivers safe.”

Just as those coals helped to get the fire started in a barbecue or a pit, they can also start a fire inside trash containers or, once emptied into the back of a truck, ignite the materials around it. To properly dispose of coals:

• Always allow for coals/ashes to cool for at least 48 hours in the grill/pit, 72 hours for extra precaution before placing them in the trash.
• Never place coals/ashes in recycling or green waste containers.

“Pool chemicals as well as other common household hazardous wastes such as batteries, oil, aerosol cans and household cleaners can also spark fires in carts, while in transport or inside recycling facilities,” adds Bereiter. “These materials require special handling and should never be disposed of in trash, recycling or green waste containers.”

Waste Management offers programs for proper disposal in each of the cities it serves.

Residents may access their specific city program by visiting www.wmorangecounty.com.

Additionally, residents can conveniently dispose of household hazardous waste safely, and for free, at any of the four Orange County drop off locations below:

• 1071 N. Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
• 17121 Nichols Street-Gate 6, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
• 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618
• 32250 La Pata Ave, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675