Large Fire at Southeast Private Landfill UPDATE#2

The Calgary Fire Department has been on scene at a private landfill fire that started on Sunday September 6. After initial operations concluded and the fire was brought under control by CFD in the evening of Monday September 7th, responsibility to monitor and maintain the site was transferred back to the business.

After receiving several calls regarding smoke and fire, the Calgary Fire Department dispatched crews in the morning of Tuesday September 8 to monitor fire conditions and suppression efforts by the business. Fire watch crews were assigned throughout the day and overnight. Calgary Fire Hazardous Materials crews worked with Alberta Environment teams to set up air monitoring equipment in the area and develop pre-plans if conditions did not improve.

This morning at around 6:00am, fires ignited in several spots and fire began to actively spread throughout the piles resulting in heavy smoke conditions in the area. Calgary Fire has contacted contractors to bring in heavy equipment that will be able to safely move the piles of debris, and additionally, contracted dedicated fire suppression equipment and personnel. While the spread of fire is limited to the landfill, the smoke conditions and continual reignition of fires require dedicated resources to properly extinguish this type of fire. Operations are currently being set up.

Calgarians do not need to call 9-1-1 unless they observe fire spreading to other structures or areas. There are dedicated fire suppression teams on site, and an active response is in progress.

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