Smoke from stubborn, ongoing fire at Calgary landfill leads to air quality advisory

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CALGARY - A stubborn, smouldering landfill fire in southeast Calgary has now become a public health concern, with smoke drifting into nearby neighbourhoods.

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CALGARY – A stubborn, smouldering landfill fire in southeast Calgary has now become a public health concern, with smoke drifting into nearby neighbourhoods.

The city’s fire department says smoke from ECCO Recycling landfill fire has worsened to the point that seniors and others at risk should go indoors if they see or smell smoke.

Others downwind of the blaze may feel eye, nose and throat irritation or coughing and headaches, the fire department said.

A Calgary Fire Department crest is pictured in Calgary, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A Calgary Fire Department crest is pictured in Calgary, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Crews were called to the fire Sunday and soon after it was declared under control.

James Docherty, assistant deputy fire chief, said the fire then rekindled deep inside the piles of material at the site.

“That is indicative of a fire that is burning hot; it’s just going deeper into the pile,” he said, explaining why it has continued to burn for so long.

Given that the fire is deep inside the material, enduring the more than 11 million litres of water being poured on it each day, nearby communities are likely to see smoke and vapour for a few more days, Docherty said.

It’s still unclear how the fire began or what inside the material pile is burning, but Docherty said the blaze isn’t growing.

The province brought in air monitoring equipment Wednesday, but has not had average readings above air quality guidelines.

Fire crews attack a smouldering fire at the ECCO Recycling landfill in southeast Calgary in a Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Calgary Fire Department (Mandatory Credit)
Fire crews attack a smouldering fire at the ECCO Recycling landfill in southeast Calgary in a Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Calgary Fire Department (Mandatory Credit)

Regardless, the fire department said to be careful of smoke exposure and to keep air filters clean.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2026.

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