The following is a release from Waste Management:

With dozens of fires burning across the region and more hot and dry days to come, Waste Management is calling for extra care when it comes to what residents put in their garbage or recycling container.

Several times a year, area firefighters respond to fires in garbage containers and trucks. These fires start because someone at a home or a business tosses combustible material into garbage or recycling containers.

According to Waste Management, the three most common causes for fires in garbage or recycling containers are BBQ coals and ashes, batteries, and flammable chemicals such as lighter fluid and propane.

“BBQ coals cause problems because they can stay hot enough to start a fire for days after the cookout is over,” said Adam Winston, director of operations for Waste Management-Pacific Northwest, the environmental services company that collects recycling and garbage throughout the region.

“The coals may look cool,” Winston said, “but the exact amount of time needed to completely extinguish coals depends on how hot the fire was, what was burning, and how much unburned fuel remains.”

Safety tips for ashes or coals

If possible, allow ashes and coals to cool for several days in the grill or fireplace.

After several days, transfer them to a metal container and wet them down.

Keep the container outside your home and away from combustibles.

Do not use galvanized containers as hot coals on the galvanized metal will release noxious fumes.

Do not place other combustibles in the container.

To dispose of the coals, after you have completely cooled them as directed in steps 1-5, place them in your garbage cart or bring them to the transfer station or landfill.

Safety tips for batteries

Some types of batteries can be recycled – but not in home recycling bins. Many stores that sell rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries will take them back for recycling. Otherwise, take the batteries to a hazardous waste facility. In Kirkland, residents can take batteries to Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Avenue; North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Avenue NE; Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Avenue; Parks Department Office, 505 Market Street; Public Works Department Maintenance Center, 915 8th Street; or Red Apple Market in Bridle Trails, 6625 132nd Ave NE.

To learn more, go here, ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/hwsd/index.html. Here is a link to the King County recycling collection events page.

Safety tips for flammable chemicals

Containers with residual gasoline, lighter fluid, propane or other flammable chemicals are not allowed in waste containers. To dispose of these items, take them to a hazardous waste facility or store them in a cool, dry place until your community’s next collection event for household hazardous waste. To learn more, go here, ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/hwsd/index.html