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Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning

Metro Waste Authority fires nearly tripled in 2025.

News

<figure><img alt="A video of a landfill fire." height="450" id="f3fc9e56-ff7f-4647-ac80-bc2b95907d9f" src="https://images.axios.com/HxfGd9MD4TbUyByiTFDZ1NDQQKI=/2026/05/19/1779190402770.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The fire at Metro Park East Landfill earlier this month is suspected to have been caused by lithium batteries or rechargeable electronics that ignited when compacted. Video: Courtesy of Metro Waste Authority</figcaption></figure>One of the largest landfill fires in metro history erupted hours after waste officials warned Des Moines leaders this month about their growing battle against improper battery disposal.Why it matters: Unbeknownst to many residents, rechargeable devices such as vapes, smartphones and electric toothbrushes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning household trash into fire hazards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" data-vars-content-id="0c001f30-bc03-4a29-969c-6c3a037202be" data-vars-headline="Massive landfill fire erupts in Des Moines hours after city warning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/25/discarded-batteries-causing-fires-in-des-moines-metro-landfills" target="_self">turning household trash into fire hazards</a>.

Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more

Things to Do

If you love all things fungi, toadstool, or just that little dude from Mario Bros., there&#x27;s a free event May 31 just for you.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The DSM Mushroom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="7f531869-8ab6-4106-a3d0-68f323716d0e" data-vars-headline="Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dsmmushroomfest.com/" target="_blank">The DSM Mushroom Festival</a> covers everything mycology, from foraging to mental health research.

Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier to spot unauthorized uses.

Polk County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to pay $6,500 to a photographer and his legal counsel for using a photo of a whale without permission.Why it matters: AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier for rights holders to find online infringements, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing the risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" data-vars-content-id="52dd56e8-f9b2-4f18-9d65-10a66a548274" data-vars-headline="Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252410/nintendo-dmca-notices-mario-fan-art-ai-image-detection" target="_blank">increasing the risk</a> for governments and other agencies that use photos on websites and social media.

Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University

The project will rely on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete.

Construction of a nearly $7.1 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass timber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" data-vars-content-id="a821144d-ec68-4f9a-9ae2-b7315b4eab36" data-vars-headline="Mass timber townhomes planned near Drake University" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber" target="_self">mass timber</a> townhome project near Drake University could begin next year.Why it matters: It would be among the city&#x27;s first townhome developments to use the building method that relies on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete, Molly Cutler of Cutler Development tells Axios.

CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors

The popular two-day festival celebrates Iowa's Asian community.

CelebrAsian is back this weekend <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for its 23rd annual event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowaasianalliance.com/celebrasian" data-vars-content-id="dfb9d30b-6fb2-4739-b2e0-78213ce331db" data-vars-headline="CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowaasianalliance.com/celebrasian" target="_blank">for its 23rd annual event</a>, and it&#x27;s using the moment to launch a fundraising push for a new refugee memorial project.Driving the news: Festival organizer Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA) wants to plant flowering and canopy trees along Robert D. Ray Drive and near the Capitol, with each tree symbolizing a refugee family as a &quot;living legacy&quot; to their stories, executive director Nu Huynh tells Axios.

Waukee Parks exploring more green space, kayaks in future

Waukee Parks and Rec is asking for the public's input for future planning ideas.

Waukee wants to make sure all residents are within half a mile of a park.Why it matters: The new plan will help guide future green space and recreation growth for one of the metro&#x27;s fastest-growing cities.

I finally planted my giant pumpkins outside

Hope #1 and Hope #2 have made it into their new homes.

Linh here! And I&#x27;m on a journey to grow a giant pumpkin in the hopes of showing it at the Iowa State Fair.<ul><li>Aptly, the pumpkin is named Hope (and I&#x27;m also growing Hope #2, just in case).</li></ul>

Hinterland returns with new stage, extra room and traffic flow

The St. Charles festival returns with a star-studded lineup.

Music

Hinterland is back this summer with new features, including a permanent stage and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eclectic four-day lineup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hinterlandiowa.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="caf3aab9-a901-4448-8962-c8d4d6c02dd5" data-vars-headline="Hinterland returns with new stage, extra room and traffic flow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hinterlandiowa.com/lineup" target="_blank">eclectic four-day lineup</a>, July 30-Aug. 2.Why it matters: No one really expects to see Lorde out among farm fields, and we get to proudly say they&#x27;re our farm fields.

My giant pumpkin is growing too large for my home

I'm growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair.

Linh here. I&#x27;m growing a giant pumpkin named Hope to enter at the Iowa State Fair, and this weekend, I&#x27;m finally planting Hope (and Hope #2, just in case.) Why it matters: They are not happy with me.

Mobile sauna and cold plunge open at Water Works Park

The new pop-up will be at Water Works Park every Saturday.

A new wood-fired sauna pop-up at Water Works Park is bringing the popular pastime to the great outdoors in Des Moines.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Empeiria Saunahouse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.empeiriasauna.com/" data-vars-content-id="206b9a80-02db-4595-901c-a3984574a10a" data-vars-headline="Mobile sauna and cold plunge open at Water Works Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.empeiriasauna.com/" target="_blank">Empeiria Saunahouse</a> is a new pop-up social sauna and cold plunge parked just south of the Des Moines Biergarten, near the amphitheater.

Massive Chevrolet collection in Ankeny opens for a rare peek

Dennis Albaugh's private garage holds one of the biggest vintage Chevrolet collections in the U.S.

Ankeny is unexpectedly home to one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest vintage Chevrolet collections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/EricHansonKCCI/posts/dennis-albaughs-huge-chevrolet-collection-in-ankeny-iowa-usually-closed-to-the-p/1188215104536200/" data-vars-content-id="e8c3d5cf-f396-44e7-b9df-3d7bdc5d610f" data-vars-headline="Massive Chevrolet collection in Ankeny opens for a rare peek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/EricHansonKCCI/posts/dennis-albaughs-huge-chevrolet-collection-in-ankeny-iowa-usually-closed-to-the-p/1188215104536200/" target="_blank">largest vintage Chevrolet collections</a> in the U.S., and it&#x27;s opening to the public for a rare peek.Why it matters: Dennis Albaugh, a prominent Ankeny developer and owner of the collection, is opening his car barn May 17 for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fundraiser" data-vars-click-url="https://brushfire.com/uphdmfoundation/albaughcarcollection/624409" data-vars-content-id="e8c3d5cf-f396-44e7-b9df-3d7bdc5d610f" data-vars-headline="Massive Chevrolet collection in Ankeny opens for a rare peek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brushfire.com/uphdmfoundation/albaughcarcollection/624409" target="_blank">fundraiser</a> benefiting Broadlawns and UnityPoint&#x27;s new psychiatric addiction fellowship. It&#x27;s the first of its kind in Iowa.

Bonchon opens its first Iowa location near Jordan Creek

The popular Korean fried chicken chain opened outside of Jordan Creek mall.

Linh here. I&#x27;m a huge Korean fried chicken fan. (Every Wednesday, you&#x27;ll find me at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Basic Bird for their $1 wing deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/04/basic-bird-offers-dollar-wing-deal-every-wednesday" data-vars-content-id="b5a48473-aeca-47df-854a-ce67d0f18190" data-vars-headline="Bonchon opens its first Iowa location near Jordan Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/04/basic-bird-offers-dollar-wing-deal-every-wednesday" target="_self">Basic Bird for their $1 wing deal</a>.)<ul><li>So when I saw that the popular Bonchon chain was opening just outside Jordan Creek mall, I was hyped to try it.</li></ul>

How a trampoline will help carry my giant pumpkin

If a trampoline tarp can endure the weight of children, then what about a pumpkin?

Linh here! I&#x27;m back with Hope the Pumpkin — my plant that I hope to grow big and strong for a chance at getting shown at the Iowa State Fair.Last week, I shared that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I&#x27;m planting Hope" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/24/iowa-state-fair-growing-giant-pumpkin" data-vars-content-id="c4479000-cb9b-433d-8b0a-1df70775880e" data-vars-headline="How a trampoline will help carry my giant pumpkin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/24/iowa-state-fair-growing-giant-pumpkin" target="_self">I&#x27;m planting Hope</a> in my backyard on May 10.

Things to Do 🗓

CelebrAsian returns this weekend with a record 70 food vendors

Mushroom festival will cover foraging, mental health and more

Waukee Parks exploring more green space, kayaks in future

I finally planted my giant pumpkins outside

Your Des Moines weekend plans