The City of Springfield announced on May 6 that it will conduct a planned, controlled burn of a large brush pile at the Springfield Yardwaste Recycling Center. The material accumulated during cleanup efforts following spring storms last year. The operation is scheduled to begin the morning of Friday, May 8, and may last several hours or up to a few days depending on weather conditions.
The city said this disposal approach was selected after evaluating alternatives and considering environmental regulations and operational safety. Officials say the controlled burn allows for efficient removal of storm debris while maintaining compliance with current environmental standards.
The burn will be managed as a coordinated, multi-agency operation led by the Springfield Fire Department. “The public is strongly advised to stay away from the burn site,” city officials said in their statement. Residents are also advised that smoke will be visible in nearby neighborhoods and there may be temporary impacts on surrounding roadways and traffic. Message boards will be posted along key corridors.
Due to the operation, the Yardwaste Recycling Center will close Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. It is expected to reopen during normal hours on Tuesday, May 12 if conditions allow. Several roads near the center—including Inman Road/FR 164, Hutchinson Ave./FR 119 east of Haseltine Road/FR 115, Rountree Road west of West Bypass, FR 123 between Rountree Road and Republic Road (for non-local traffic), and part of Wilson’s Creek Greenway Trail—will also close temporarily.
City staff are working closely with partner agencies and nearby facilities such as utilities to minimize disruptions during this process. Additional updates will be shared through official channels including the SGF Environmental Services Facebook page.
Springfield serves as the county seat of Greene County in southwestern Missouri; it operates under a council-manager form of government adopted in 1953 with a nine-member City Council responsible for setting policy direction; it maintains historic preservation efforts; it was established in the 1830s by John Polk Campbell; it played roles in both Civil War history at Wilson’s Creek battlefield and establishing Route 66 through its public square; all according to the official website.
