Compost Facility Fire on August 18, 2025

On the afternoon of Monday, August 18, 2025, a piece of equipment operating within the Compost Facility at the Solid Waste Facility (SWF) caught fire. The fire spread to nearby piles of cardboard but was quickly and effectively contained through the coordinated efforts of the Yellowknife Fire Division (YKFD) and SWF staff.

As a precaution, the SWF was temporarily closed during response operations and has since resumed normal operations.

While the fire is considered contained, some smouldering may continue in nearby materials. YKFD and SWF personnel remain on-site to apply water and manage any remaining heat sources. A fire watch will be maintained overnight to monitor potential flare-ups.

Due to the incident's location within the Compost Facility, a protective liner system is in place to isolate the affected area from the landfill’s buried waste. This liner is expected to prevent the fire from spreading underground.

The City continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates if needed.