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Fire Breaks Out at Former Southeast Calgary Landfill
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Fire Breaks Out at Former Southeast Calgary Landfill
A blaze ignited on the east side of a former landfill in southeast Calgary during an early-September evening. Fire crews contained the flames by the following night, but the Calgary Fire Department reported that the fire remained active later in the week, with smoke drifting over nearby neighbourhoods. The site, which has not accepted new waste since 2024, holds only construction and demolition debris such as lumber and drywall.
ECCO Recycling’s Response and Cooperation
ECCO Recycling and Energy Corp., the owner of the former landfill, said it is supplying personnel, equipment and soil to assist the fire department in suppressing the fire. ECCO also met with provincial environmental officials on the site and affirmed its full cooperation with municipal authorities and the ongoing investigation.
Investigation and Potential Arson
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to the Calgary Fire Department. In its statement, ECCO asked investigators to consider the possibility that the fire was deliberately set, given the location and circumstances. The company’s request reflects concerns about intentional ignition, but no official conclusion has been reached at this stage.
Impact on Community and Ongoing Concerns
Although the fire has been largely contained, lingering smoke continues to affect adjacent residential areas, prompting health-related worries among residents. The incident underscores the challenges of managing former landfill sites that store demolition waste, and it has prompted heightened scrutiny from both municipal fire services and provincial environmental regulators. ECCO’s cooperation and the fire department’s continued monitoring aim to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and to prevent future incidents at the site.