Commercial Waste Fires

When a 999 call is received, our control room mobilises the appropriate resources. Once on scene, crews take a structured and safety-led approach:

• Incident commanders assess hazards and risks

• Safety cordons are established to protect the public and responders

• A secure and sustainable water supply is set up

• The response is scaled depending on the size and complexity of the incident

To safely tackle hard-to-reach hotspots, you may see specialist equipment in use, including:

• Aerial ladder platforms

• Water towers

• Drones for monitoring fire spread and hotspots

• High-volume pumps

• Specialist robotics to reduce risk to firefighters

We work closely with partner organisations to manage the wider impact of these incidents and reduce disruption:

• Local councils

• The Environment Agency

• Lancashire Police

• UK Health Security Agency

Together, we coordinate:

• Waste removal and site clearance

• Demolition where required

• Environmental protection measures

• Public health advice for affected communities

Waste fires present unique challenges due to their unpredictable nature:

• Deep-seated fire pockets can be hidden within compacted waste

• Waste piles may be unstable and prone to collapse

• Heavy machinery is often required to separate waste and expose the fire

• Thick smoke can affect air quality and nearby businesses

• Firefighting water run-off must be carefully managed to protect the environment

If you can see or smell smoke:

• Close windows and doors

• Turn off air conditioning, vents, or air-handling systems

• Avoid the area to keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles

• Do not fly drones, as they obstruct emergency operations

• Follow our official channels for accurate, verified updates