Adamsville, Alabama, September 19, 2025
News Summary
A fire at Big Sky Environmental Landfill in Adamsville continues to smolder, with officials monitoring the situation closely. Nearby residents have been advised of poor air quality due to smoke. The landfill, notorious for its history with sewage waste shipments, remains under control but may require further extinguishing efforts. Local authorities prioritize the safety of residents as the incident unfolds.
Adamsville Fire Update: Big Sky Environmental Landfill Still Smoldering
A fire broke out at Big Sky Environmental, one of the largest landfills in Alabama, located northwest of Birmingham, early Wednesday morning. As of Thursday, officials reported that while the fire is under control, it continues to smolder in some areas, producing visible smoke that can be seen from miles away.
Lynn Battle, spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored, with ADEM maintaining communication with Big Sky Environmental regarding ongoing extinguishing efforts. Firefighters remain on the scene to manage the situation effectively.
The nearby city of Graysville has alerted residents about poor air quality resulting from the smoke. Officials advised residents to keep windows and doors closed, limit outdoor activities, and use air conditioning in recirculate mode if possible. A Graysville Facebook post indicated that while the fire itself is contained, smoldering is expected to continue due to the dirt used to help contain it. At the time of reporting, ADEM had not received any official complaints concerning smoke from the fire.
Background on Big Sky Environmental Landfill
Big Sky Environmental is permitted to accept up to 25,000 tons of waste per day. The landfill has a controversial history, having previously accepted shipments of sewage waste, known as “poop trains,” from New York and New Jersey. This practice was halted in 2018 due to complaints from local residents.
This incident is not isolated; in late 2022, another landfill located in Moody caught fire and burned for several months. That fire was eventually extinguished in early 2023 following intervention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Officials emphasized that following the complete extinguishing of the fire, Big Sky Environmental will be required to submit a report to ADEM detailing the incident.
Current Situation
As the fire at Big Sky Environmental continues to smolder, local authorities and environmental officials are working diligently to manage the impact on nearby communities. The safety of residents and the environment remains the top priority while the situation unfolds.
FAQ
What caused the fire at Big Sky Environmental Landfill?
Details surrounding the cause of the fire and how many acres burned remain scarce.
Is the fire under control?
As of Thursday, Lynn Battle, spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), stated that the fire is under control but is still smoldering in some areas.
What precautions are being advised to residents?
The nearby city of Graysville has alerted residents about poor air quality due to smoke and advised them to keep windows and doors closed, limit outdoor activities, and use air conditioning in recirculate mode if possible.
How much waste can Big Sky Environmental accept?
Big Sky Environmental is permitted to accept up to 25,000 tons of waste per day.
Will there be a report following the incident?
Following the fire, Big Sky Environmental will be required to submit a report to ADEM once the fire is fully extinguished.
Key Features of Recent Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Big Sky Environmental Landfill, Adamsville, Alabama |
| Incident Start | Early Wednesday morning |
| Status | Fire under control but still smoldering in some areas |
| Environmental Alerts | Advisories for poor air quality issued to nearby residents |
| Permitted Waste Capacity | 25,000 tons per day |
| Historical Complaints | Past complaints regarding sewage waste shipments from New York and New Jersey |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- AL.com: Landfill Catches Fire Near Birmingham
- Wikipedia: Landfill Fires
- WBRC: Smoke from Adamsville Landfill Fire Seen Miles Away
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Environmental Issues
- ABC3340: Fire at Big Sky Landfill Contained, Air Quality Affected
- Google Search: Landfill Fire Alabama
- AL.com: Landfill Fire Near Birmingham Still Smoldering
- Google Scholar: Landfill Fire Management
- WVTM: Graysville Landfill Fire Contained, Air Quality Concerns Remain
- Google News: Landfill Smoke Air Quality
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
