On the afternoon of July 27, 2020, a brush fire in the Seasonal Compost Facility required temporary closure of the facility. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Both Cedar Falls Public Safety and Cedar Falls Public Works took immediate action to contain this fire to an isolated area. Due to the fire’s initial size and complexity, the fire has been allowed to burn in order to decrease the intensity of smoldering smoke. City officials have been monitoring the scene regularly throughout the week.
The Compost Facility will reopen on Friday, July 31. Barriers and signage will direct traffic to the unaffected northwest corner of the facility for public yard waste drop-off. The adjusted hours will be:
- 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31
- 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2
- 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3
A second media advisory will be released on Monday, August 3 with further information regarding this ongoing incident, and future plans for the Compost Facility’s hours of operation.
Additionally, winds from the northeast this week have caused smoke from this incident to drift into Downtown and residential areas of Cedar Falls. In consultation with the Black Hawk County Health Department, residents with respiratory sensitivities are advised to remain indoors until smoke dissipates in the coming days. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has also been advised of this incident.