Fire at Southeast Calgary Landfill
On the evening of April 29th, 2022 at approximately 8:10pm, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) responded to multiple calls for a plume of smoke near the southeast community of Quarry Park. Smoke could be seen from multiple vantage points around the city as well as flames from nearby roadways. On arrival, the CFD was met by staff near 24th street and Quarry Park Blvd SE where large volumes of smoke were emanating from a large rubble pile landfill. On further investigation fire crews travelled to the top of the landfill where staff were actively working to extinguish the fire with heavy equipment.
A large bulldozer being utilized by landfill staff to extinguish the fire suffered a mechanical failure then was quickly overcome by the fire. The operator was able to exit the machine unharmed and retreated to safety. The fire quickly grew in size and volume, and fire crews were forced to intervene with a remote water supply and hose streams. The CFD and landfill staff are working through the night to contain the blaze to the rubble pile. The contents of the landfill are noted as construction waste and dry fill. Water supply was a challenge for teams as the nearest hydrant was nearly 1 kilometer from the fire.
Crews from Calgary Police, CP Rail and Alberta Environment attended the scene to assist with resources. Firefighters will remain on scene until the fire can be brought under control and heavy equipment can return to the scene and resume operation. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The duration of the event is yet to be determined. The Calgary Fire Department encourages citizen to avoid the area for the next 24 hours.
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