Republic Services Transfer Station Fire
On the evening of Friday, January 30, 2026, Republic Services (also known locally as Peterson Sanitation/Town and Country) experienced a fire at its transfer station located in the Village of Prairie du Sac. The incident prompted a significant emergency response. Republic Services has shared the following information and updates with the Village.
Republic Services would like to extend sincere appreciation to all emergency response teams, public works and utility crews, community volunteers, and local leadership for their rapid response, coordination, and support during this incident. Their efforts were critical in managing the situation and ensuring public safety.
Despite the damage to the transfer station, Republic Services remains fully committed to continuing regular service for all residential and business customers. Collection services will continue as scheduled; however, customers may notice slightly longer collection times as Republic Services coordinates alternative disposal arrangements.
To maintain uninterrupted service, Republic Services is taking the following actions:
- Support drivers are being flown in from other parts of the country to assist with customer hauling, site cleanup, and logistical coordination.
- Waste disposal will be redirected to Republic Services’ Lone Rock and Mauston transfer stations, as well as through direct haul to partnered landfills.
- A structural engineer will be brought in to assess the condition of the Prairie du Sac transfer station and help determine long-term repair or replacement solutions.
- Environmental response teams will partner with Republic Services to assist with cleanup and ensure environmental safety.
The closure of the Prairie du Sac transfer station does not impact collection routes. The closure affects post-collection disposal only. All collection routes serviced from the Prairie du Sac home site including the Villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City awill continue as normal.
Because drivers will now need to travel farther to unload once their trucks are full, collection may take longer than usual and, in some cases, may extend into the following day. Residents are asked to:
- Place garbage and recycling totes at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their assigned collection day.
- Leave totes out if they are not emptied on the scheduled day, as collection may occur later or the next day.
At this time, the cause of the transfer station fire has not yet been determined. The Village of Prairie du Sac Fire Department reminds residents and businesses of the importance of properly disposing of hazardous materials, including batteries, electronics, and chemicals at approved disposal locations. Improper disposal of these items can pose serious fire risks. For more information on safe and legal disposal options, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/.
Compost Site Fire
Additionally, while firefighters were still responding to the transfer station fire into Saturday morning, crews were called to a fire at the Village’s compost site. Investigation determined that this fire was caused by hot coals that had been improperly dumped at the site. This incident serves as a reminder that hot ashes or coals must be fully extinguished and disposed of properly, as they can smolder and ignite long after disposal.
The Village appreciates the cooperation of residents and businesses as recovery and cleanup efforts continue, and thanks the community for its patience and support.