Dubuque Firefighters Extinguish Recycling Blaze at Ditmer Facility

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Firefighters in Dubuque responded to a fire at the Ditmer Recycling facility on Radford Road on Thursday afternoon. Crews arrived to find a large pile of recycling materials on fire inside the industrial building, but were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to the structure or equipment.

Why it matters

Recycling facilities like Ditmer play an important role in Dubuque's sustainability efforts, so containing fires at these sites is crucial to avoid disruptions in service and potential environmental impacts. The quick response and effective firefighting tactics prevented a potentially more serious incident.

The details

According to the Dubuque Fire Department, crews were called to the Ditmer Recycling facility around 3 PM on February 12th after an employee reported smoke coming from a large pile of recycling materials inside the building. Firefighters arrived to find heavy, light-colored smoke and zero visibility, with the fire involving a massive 20-foot high, 60-foot long, and 50-foot deep pile of recyclables. Crews stretched hose lines and applied water to stop the fire from spreading, while also searching the building and checking nearby areas to protect the structure. Facility personnel used a loader to pull apart the smoldering material to provide better access, and firefighters spent significant time on overhaul duties to fully extinguish the blaze.

• On February 12, 2026, crews responded to the fire call around 3 PM.
• Firefighters worked for an extended period on overhaul duties to fully extinguish the blaze.