Sherburne County (trfnews.i234.me) – Firefighters responded Saturday morning to a large compost pile fire at the Big Lake Public Works Facility. The fire created a tall plume of smoke that could be seen from several miles away. Officials confirmed no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
The fire was reported shortly after 8 a.m. on November 22, 2025. It happened at the public works property located at 18041 198th Avenue in Big Lake.
Fire Contained to Compost Pile
According to the Big Lake Police Department, the fire was confined to an outdoor compost pile on the property. The fire did not reach any buildings on the site. Firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the flames with help from neighboring fire departments.
Police said the area remained active throughout the morning as crews continued to work. They asked residents to stay away from the property for safety reasons.
Smoke Visible Across Area
The fire produced a large plume of smoke, which prompted several calls to emergency dispatch. Police confirmed that the smoke resulted from burning compost material and not a structure fire.
By around 10:30 a.m., fire officials said crews were focused on preventing the fire from spreading. Heavy equipment was used to break apart burning material so firefighters could reach the center of the compost pile.
No Injuries or Structural Damage
Authorities said no buildings were damaged during the incident. The public works facility remained closed to the public while the scene was secured.
Officials have not released the cause of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing.
For information on fire safety and prevention, visit the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office at dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
