Custer County will cover landfill fees for Aspenacres ash under time‑limited disposal program

The Custer County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 19 to approve a Wildfire Debris Disposal Support Program that covers landfill disposal fees for ash removed from properties affected by the Aspenacres wildfire.

Eric Sto, the county Office of Emergency Management officer, told the board the county will pay only the disposal fee at the Southside landfill (PBLO). "We're covering the disposal fee at the landfills," Sto said, while noting that residents must still handle transportation and proper packaging. He described required documentation: a debris removal permit, an evacuation card to show the load's origin, and that loads must be packaged to prevent dust escape.

Sto and others described the packaging standard as a double 3mm wrap — "roll up one and then roll another one inside it burrito style" — and urged residents to wet ash before handling to avoid creating airborne dust. The program was adopted as time-limited; Sto said the county set a Sept. 30 deadline to encourage cleanup but the board may extend it if needed.

Commissioners emphasized limits: the county will not pay contractors' transportation or packaging fees and loads that fail the documentation or packaging requirements will be denied at the landfill or the bringer will be held responsible for payment. Sto estimated disposal costs per property at approximately $1,000–$3,000 but said the county will absorb only the landfill fees.

The board moved, seconded and voted in favor of adopting the program. Staff said county webpages and state public‑health guidance will provide detailed instructions for residents on how to prepare loads and where to take them.