DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA – Garbage truck fires are becoming an all-too-common sight in and around Dublin — and officials say the cause is usually the same: batteries and other hazardous items tossed into household trash.
In November 2024, the City of Dublin warned residents after a garbage truck caught fire in town. The city said improperly disposed hazardous materials inside the truck ignited, forcing firefighters to douse the load once it was dumped in the street. No injuries were reported. Bay Area Telegraph
Similar incidents have continued nearby. On July 22, 2025, a garbage truck in San Ramon erupted in flames; the driver dumped the burning load in a parking lot so firefighters could put it out. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District said batteries were the likely cause and reminded residents that batteries of any kind should not go in the trash.
And in the last two weeks, Dublin officials say that garbage trucks have caught fire–likely due to batteries–twice.
The city said in an official communication: “In less than a week, two garbage trucks in Dublin had to unload due to a fire. While the causes were not immediately known, it’s a good reminder to pause and consider what you are throwing away. Improperly disposing of hazardous waste, like batteries, chemicals, or electronics, can cause fires and endanger workers. Fortunately, no one was injured during either fire.”…