Environmental Concerns Mount After Massive Fire at Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers

The Environmental Concerns Committee is asking Kalamazoo City Commission to authorize a full report on environmental impacts following a major fire at Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers Inc. that took over a million gallons of water to extinguish.

The blaze broke out on March 9, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. at the facility located at 1525 Kings Highway, according to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Fire crews worked through the night and into the early morning hours to contain the fire.

Air Quality Concerns

KDPS measured higher-than-normal levels of PM2.5 particulate matter near the fire between midnight and 6 a.m. These are small air particles that can cause lung irritation and breathing issues, KDPS said.

The elevated readings steadily declined afterward. By 9 a.m. on March 10, levels were comparable to those recorded in other Kalamazoo neighborhoods and other Michigan communities, KDPS reported.

Water Contamination Monitoring

The fire consumed a pile of metal waiting to be recycled. No one was injured in the incident. KDPS activated an air monitoring system and deployed a drone to survey the area. The drone did not observe any visible oil sheen on the Kalamazoo River.

City officials notified the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy of potential runoff from the fire entering the river. The city is now monitoring the river and storm sewer outfalls for signs of oil.

Community Demands More Data

At the ECC meeting on March 18, committee members voted unanimously to request a comprehensive report on the fire's environmental impacts. The committee stated there was an inadequacy of current monitoring protocols.

ECC Associate Member Katie Meyer Teper said surface wipe sampling and soil testing should be performed within a five-mile radius to detect lithium-ion contaminants or heavy metals that may have settled after becoming airborne.

Key Questions for Residents

The ECC is asking the city to address these questions:

  • What air pollution was released, including the precise composition of the PM2.5 pollution
  • What potential water pollution has washed into the waterways, in addition to oil
  • How the City of Kalamazoo will communicate this information to all residents, particularly those in impacted areas
  • What steps the City of Kalamazoo will take to continue monitoring the environmental impacts of the fire

State Findings

City Commissioner Jeanne Hess reported that Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy found no issues with contaminated runoff. However, ECC committee members emphasized the need for more granular data.

Investigation Status

The cause of the fire remains undetermined as of late March, according to KDPS officers.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at (269) 337-8120 or Kalamazoo Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.

Community Concerns

Several community members spoke at the ECC meeting to express concerns about the fire. Residents raised issues about a lack of transparency regarding what the burning metal was made of, and subsequently what it released into the air as it burned.

Next Steps

The ECC's letter to the commission, scheduled to be discussed at Kalamazoo City Commission's regular meeting on Monday at 7 p.m., addresses the impact report. The committee's initial resolve also involved asking the city to send out a public statement regarding the status and stage of the fire investigation.