Full Breakdown
Fire at Southeast Calgary Landfill Triggers Intermittent PM2.5 Alerts
By Drooid · · How we work
Fire Origin and Immediate Impact
A smoldering fire broke out at the former ECCO Recycling and Energy Corp. landfill in southeast Calgary in early September. Firefighters suppressed the blaze the following day, but it reignited two days later and has continued to burn. The combustion is described as behaving like a wildfire, producing smoke that drifts downwind toward nearby residential neighborhoods.
Site Background and Materials
ECCO Recycling and Energy Corp. reports that the site contains only dry construction debris such as lumber and drywall and has not accepted new waste since 2024. The landfill is authorized solely for inert waste, not hazardous materials, prompting provincial investigators to examine whether any unauthorized substances are present.
Air-Quality Monitoring and Findings
Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Grant Hunter, announced the deployment of a mobile air-quality laboratory to track fine (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter. Monitoring indicates that PM2.5 from the smoke is the only pollutant exceeding Alberta’s ambient air-quality guidelines. Exceedances have been intermittent, with some periods reaching concentrations comparable to the high-risk category of the Air Quality Health Index. The province has sent collected air samples for expedited laboratory analysis and pledged to publish all monitoring data and test results for public access.
Government and Municipal Response
The Calgary Fire Department issued a warning to residents of Douglasdale, Quarry Park, McKenzie Towne and New Brighton, advising precautionary measures as air quality worsened. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Councillor Rob Ward jointly wrote to the provincial government requesting the immediate release of detailed testing results. Minister Hunter confirmed coordination with the city on both air-quality monitoring and the investigation of potential unauthorized materials at the site.
Planned Follow-Up Actions
Provincial officials will continue real-time monitoring and will release laboratory findings as soon as they are available. Ongoing coordination with Calgary authorities aims to determine whether any remediation is required and to keep residents informed about air-quality conditions.