Cook County Firewise and the Cook County Recycle Center are reminding residents that brush is not accepted at the Recycle Center’s compost site. Increasing numbers of residents have recently attempted to drop off brush or woody debris at the Recycle Center, which is not equipped to receive this material.

All community brush disposal for Firewise purposes must be taken to one of the seven designated Firewise Brush Disposal Sites located throughout Cook County. These sites are open during the summer and fall and are free for public use. They are designed specifically to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk by safely disposing of vegetation created during Firewise fuel‑reduction and property‑maintenance activities.

Residents can find all official Firewise brush sites using the interactive countywide map available at:

https://cookcountymn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8b737cea668a414b9019745988bfd893. Please check road restrictions before traveling to a site.

To help keep these sites safe and operational, only clean brush and vegetation should be dropped off. Trash, treated lumber, stumps, and other non‑vegetative materials are not accepted. 

Firewise brush sites support local wildfire‑mitigation efforts by giving property owners convenient, designated places to dispose of ladder fuels, balsam fir, and other vegetation that can increase wildfire intensity. The Firewise program encourages residents to proactively manage vegetation around their homes to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.

Cook County thanks the community for helping keep brush sites clean and for using the correct locations for wildfire mitigation materials.

For more information about Firewise resources, brush disposal, or wildfire‑preparedness programs, visit cookcountyfirewise.org or contact Cook County Firewise Coordinator Steve VanKekerix at [email protected] or 218‑387‑4133.