Fire at Dry Creek transfer station contained; skylight system failed to vent, officials report minimal damage

Woodland Hills staff told the council on July 14 that a Saturday fire at the Dry Creek transfer station was contained with limited damage but highlighted an equipment failure that will be investigated.

Staff reported surveillance footage shows a resident or visitor drop a flammable liquid into the incoming pile; an ignition source then allowed flame to travel across the material. Infrared heat cameras detected the fire and alerted dispatch; sprinklers activated and the building’s internal cannons were used to suppress temperatures, though poor visibility slowed direct manual actions.

"The building worked exactly as it was designed minus the smoke," staff reported after a structural engineer found no structural damage and compactors remained protected behind the push wall. However, the skylights that are supposed to open to allow ventilation did not function because the supplier appears to have gone out of business, trapping smoke inside the facility and complicating the initial response.

Staff said Spanish Fork and other mutual‑aid crews responded; there were reports of alarm activations and three nearby buildings briefly evacuated because of flow‑sensor triggers as pressure changed while departments were drawing water. One staff member was treated for heat‑related illness, and the city is reviewing both the incident response and vendor warranties for the skylight system.

Council was told damage was minimal, cleanup is complete and staff will pursue a formal incident review and follow up on any equipment or warranty fixes recommended by the structural engineer and operations personnel.