Yes truck fires are a thing, and you're probably causing them: Here's how to stop

Phoenix, Arizona: OK, so truck fires are a thing and you're causing many of them. Now, a coalition of valley cities and towns is reminding residents about the danger of throwing hazardous items in their trash or recycling cans. Things like pool chemicals, tiki torch canisters, lighters, and hot coals should never go in the trash. These and many other items can start fires inside garbage trucks, at transfer stations, or at the landfill.

There have been dozens of garbage truck fires across the valley in 2024. Phoenix had 12 truck fires last year, and Queen Creek had five. Goodyear had three fires in the span of one week that caused more than $60,000 in truck damage. All of these fires (also known as hot loads) were caused by hazardous material inside trash or recycling containers – common household combustibles like batteries, electronics, paint, or pressurized canisters. 

Each hot load puts solid waste equipment operators in danger, slows the collection process, harms the environment, and causes damage to heavy equipment that must be repaired using either taxpayer or ratepayer dollars.

“When I saw the smoke, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness! This is a big-time hot load!’” said Anthony Guzman, a solid waste equipment operator with the City of Phoenix who has witnessed or been involved with four hot loads in just the last two years.

“I was a little bit terrified, a little bit nervous. But at the same time, I’ve got to stop and think. This is very serious. You’ve got to think about the residents and the people around you -– including yourself.”