On Monday, December 29th, 2025, a fire was lit in numerous waste bins. Two recycling dumpsters, a trash bin, and a recycling bin were set on fire during the winter break while students were out of school. An unknown individual spotted the fire while driving by and swiftly called the fire department. Firefighters arrived on time and extinguished the fire. The Fire Department called the district police, who then informed Principal Sara Tones about the situation. 

“Tones got a phone call on the 29th stating that there were two dumpsters in the front of the building that were on fire,  the little blue garbage can on the bus ramp, and then the recycled bin from the cafeteria was set on fire,” Perkins said.

Administrators and firefighters are actively trying to find the perpetrator and the real reason why it happened.

“We know someone did it, but we don’t have an idea who,” Perkins said. “So right now, the fire department is investigating…I think that when [some] kids are out of school too long, their mind goes, ‘What can I do to entertain myself?’ They may sometimes choose things they shouldn’t. We had too much time out of school, so that kid needs to be in school, and we’re glad he or she is back.”

The fire was controlled and contained. Thankfully, the wind put the fire out before anything spread further. There had been only slight damage done to the recycling dumpsters, recycling bin, and trash bin.

“Fortunately, the wind was going away from the forest, so it kept it away from there. But with both ends being metal, I don’t think it would have caused any more issues.” Perkin said. “Tones has requested a full fence from the district. Don’t know when that will happen, but that’s the request.” 

While it is unclear exactly how the perpetrator caused the fire, Perkins speculates that they prepared the bins with something to make it easier to burn. 

“We think they used an accelerant to put inside the recycle bin, and with it being so much paper and cardboard, it ignited pretty easily,” Perkins said. 

The situation was appropriately taken care of, and nobody was hurt. The only concern for this situation is catching the person who was responsible for the fires.

 “That there’s no safety issue,” Perkins said. “We think this is just a kid who had too much free time. There’s no issue with the school. We’re not concerned about safety at all at this point.”