The City of Yellowknife is cautioning residents about making improper disposals of household hazardous waste in garbage bins after a fire broke out at the city's landfill.

The blaze was sparked on April 22, according to the city.

"City public works personnel, with support from the Yellowknife Fire Division, responded quickly and successfully extinguished the fire," the municipality stated in an April 23 news release.

Damaged or compressed electronics can become flammable and may spark when waste is compacted in garbage trucks or at the landfill, according to the city.

"These sparks can lead to fires, which may spread quickly and result in air quality concerns for residents," the municipality stated.

The situation is under control, the city said, emphasizing that during wildfire season, incidents like this could present a much greater threat to public safety and the environment.

"We strongly remind all residents that electronics and other hazardous materials must be properly sorted, separated from household waste and disposed of through the appropriate channels," the city advised.

Residents who are unsure of what is accepted at the landfill can contact the solid waste facility at (867) 669-3406. They can also check whether their electronic items are accepted at the Bottle Depot.