Caja del Rio Landfill Blasting Activity Scheduled for Tuesday June 16th, 2026.

The Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency (SFSWMA) is notifying residents, neighboring property owners, landfill customers, and other stakeholders of scheduled blasting activity at the Caja del Rio Landfill. The first blast is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The blasting is part of ongoing landfill development efforts to remove basalt rock for borrow material in preparation for future cell development. The project is critical to expanding long-term waste disposal capacity for the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County.

Blasting activities will occur periodically throughout the year, with approximately four to six blasts anticipated annually. A tentative blasting schedule will be maintained on the Agency's website, www.sfswma.org.

To ensure public safety, landfill operations and traffic will be temporarily halted beginning 30 minutes before the blast. Vehicles entering the facility will be held at the scale house near the landfill entrance until approximately 30 minutes after the blast has been completed and the all-clear has been issued.

Prior to detonation, landfill personnel will verify that all employees, customers, and visitors have been safely evacuated from the blast area. Warning sirens will be sounded according to the following sequence:

A series of short air horn blasts for a period of 30 seconds

A series of three long air horn blasts

A final steady air horn blast for 30 seconds before detonation

Following the blast and confirmation that conditions are safe, normal traffic and operations will resume.

The Agency coordinates closely with emergency response agencies, aviation officials, neighboring property owners, major waste haulers, and other affected parties prior to each blasting event. The blasting contractor is required to provide at least 48 hours' notice before any scheduled blast.

While blasting is typically conducted between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., weather conditions or operational requirements may require adjustments to the schedule. If changes occur, the Agency will make every effort to notify affected parties in advance.

Residents and landfill customers are encouraged to follow all posted instructions and directions from landfill staff during blasting operations.

Click here for more information about Caja del Rio Landfill operations and blasting schedules.

Media Contact:

Danita Boettner

[email protected]

Caja del Rio Landfill 505-424-1850.

Peter Olson

City of Santa Fe

Communications Director

(505) 819-1062