Calgary fire chief says landfill blaze can take months to suppress
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
CALGARY – A stubborn blaze that has been burning for the last 10 days at a Calgary landfill can cover multiple Canadian football fields and take months to fizzle out, the fire service said Wednesday.
Calgary fire Chief Steve Dongworth said the fire at the ECCO Recycling facility in the southeast part of the city has an estimated volume of one million cubic metres.
He said it can cover up to eight Canadian Football League fields.
The fire has also been difficult to tackle as it’s located in deep pockets, he said, and under a mountain of garbage.
“Although we should be able to control smoke from the fire in the next few days, this incident could last weeks or even months until on-site fire risk is fully mitigated,” Dongworth said in a statement.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at ECCO, a private landfill and recycling business, on Sept. 6.
The smoke billowing from the fire has become a nuisance for locals and has prompted a health advisory from the fire service.
One resident has said the smoke has triggered his daughter’s asthma and he is considering temporarily leaving the community.
Dongworth said the smoke is set to flare up as crews fight the blaze.
“Our immediate efforts remain focused on actions that reduce smoke impact on communities,” said Dongorth.
“This includes identifying hot spots, applying water where required and using soil to cap and smother remaining areas of fire.”
He said he appreciates the community for being patient.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.