Crews Respond to Fire at Dubuque Recycling Center

Firefighters battle large blaze in recycling pile at facility on Radford Road.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Dubuque Fire Department responded to a fire at a recycling center on Radford Road on Thursday afternoon after an employee reported smoke coming from inside the building. Crews arrived to find a large pile of recycling material on fire, measuring approximately 20 feet high, 60 feet long, and 50 feet deep. Firefighters used a loader to remove parts of the pile while containing the blaze, which caused no damage to the building or structure and resulted in no injuries.

Why it matters

Fires at recycling centers can pose significant risks to public safety and the environment, requiring a swift response from local fire departments to contain the damage. This incident highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and fire prevention measures at recycling facilities to protect workers and the surrounding community.

The details

According to the fire department, crews were called to the recycling center on Radford Road after an employee reported seeing smoke coming from inside the building. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a large pile of recycling material fully engulfed in flames, measuring approximately 20 feet high, 60 feet long, and 50 feet deep. To battle the blaze, firefighters utilized a loader to remove parts of the pile while working to contain the fire, which was ultimately limited to the recycling pile with no damage to the building or structure.

  • The fire was reported to the Dubuque Fire Department on Thursday, February 13, 2026 at around 3:00 PM.

The players

Dubuque Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the fire at the recycling center.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust fire safety protocols and emergency response procedures at recycling facilities to mitigate the risks posed by large piles of flammable materials. Proper training, equipment, and coordination between facility staff and local fire departments can help prevent such incidents and protect the surrounding community.