Another fire at the county transfer station sparks warning over lithium batteries
Published on:
August 20, 2026
Firefighters were called out Thursday evening to the Greene County Transfer Station on Route 385 (Catskill Fire Company photo).
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CATSKILL―Firefighters are once again urging the public to safely dispose of lithium batteries after another fire at the Greene County Transfer Station.
Around 6 p.m. on Thursday, the Catskill Fire Company was dispatched to any automatic heat alarm at the facility on State Route 385.
Arriving firefighters found a working fire inside a 60-by-80-foot metal building.
Mutual aid was called in from Athens, Leeds, West Athens, Hudson, Earlton, Coxsackie and Greenport, while Kiskatom was covering any additional calls in the Catskill Fire District.
The fire was knocked down and overhead doors were opened to ventilate the building, according to the Catskill Fire Company. Excavators pulled out mounds of trash while firefighters wet down the garbage.
“The fact that the early heat detection system worked limited damage to the building to a few overhead lights about 30 feet above the fire area,” the Catskill Fire Company reported.
“Everything and everybody worked well and kept the county from losing a building,” they added.
According to the Catskill Fire Company, they have responded to many fires at the transfer station over the last 25-plus years. They say these are not the fault of the county, but rather irresponsible dumping of hot materials or, in recent years, lithium batteries.
Today, the average American home contains dozens of objects powered by lithium-ion batteries. These can include electric toothbrushes, Bluetooth speakers, fitness trackers, tablets, laptops, smartphones, vapes, children’s toys, some vacuums and even musical greeting cards, among other items.
Lithium-ion batteries contain highly flammable liquid or gel electrolytes. When the batteries get crushed or punctured it triggers what is known as thermal runaway—a chain reaction that can cause a fire or explosion.
In New York State, it is illegal to throw lithium and other rechargeable batteries into household trash or recycling bins due to the risk of fire.
“We want to implore the public to dispose of any and all batteries in a safe and proper manner,” the Catskill Fire Company urged.
Greene County Solid Waste Transfer Stations are official drop-off points for Call2Recycle, a national non-profit organization that runs a large consumer and industrial battery recycling program.
“Please do not include lithium-ion batteries with other waste, for your safety and ours. Bring them in a plastic storage bag and drop them off at the manager’s office,” advises Greene County Solid Waste.
The Catskill Fire Company thanked all departments who responded to Thursday night’s call, as well as the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Solid Waste employees and Fire Police.
Additional pictures from the fire can be found on the Catskill Fire Company’s Facebook page.
