The Calgary Fire Department issued a health advisory on Friday in connection with smoke coming from an ongoing fire at the Ecco Recycling landfill in southeast Calgary. In it, the CFD cautioned residents living in the city’s southeast downwind of the fire to “take precautions” as smoke conditions have worsened. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AB-EPA) has been monitoring air quality near the fire since Sept. 9. On Thursday, they found no hourly average readings that registered above Alberta’s ambient air quality guidelines. Despite this, the fire department says those who live directly downwind of the fire may “experience smoke and related health effects.” The greatest potential for smoke exposure is in the communities of Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Towne, New Brighton, Copperfield and other neighbouring communities. “Vulnerable groups such as children, youth, seniors, pregnant women, and those with asthma, heart disease or other underlying health conditions should limit outdoor activities and move indoors if they see or smell smoke,” the fire department said. “Residents with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should monitor their symptoms, continue taking prescribed medications and follow the advice provided by their healthcare professionals.” Symptoms may include eye, nose and throat irritation, increased mucus production, coughing or headaches. The Calgary Fire Department recommends the following: Exposure varies based on distance from the fire, wind direction and speed, time spent outdoors and proximity to visible smoke or odours. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact Health Link at 811, or 911 to seek immediate medical attention. Ecco responds Late Friday afternoon, Ecco Recycling sent CTV News the following statement from president and CEO Alec McDougall: “We want to begin by reassuring residents in the surrounding communities that the fire at ECCO’s former landfill remains contained, although it has proven stubborn. “It is important for people to understand what is burning. The former landfill contains no household garbage, kitchen waste or other organic material. It accepted only dry construction and demolition material, such as lumber, drywall and other construction debris. The site has not accepted any new material since 2024. “ECCO is working to cap and close the former landfill in accordance with applicable requirements. ECCO understands that smoke can be concerning and that even when air-quality readings are within applicable guidelines, smoke and odour can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and other temporary symptoms. We take those concerns seriously and encourage residents to follow the advice of Calgary Fire Department and health authorities. “ECCO continues to work closely with the Calgary Fire Department and remains on site 24 hours a day to provide whatever assistance and site support is required. We are grateful for the firefighters who continue to work around the clock. “We also want to thank residents in Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Towne, New Brighton, Copperfield and other surrounding communities for their patience and understanding. We recognize the disruption that smoke can cause and appreciate the concerns being expressed by people who live nearby.” Ecco also said it has asked that the fire be investigated as a possible act of arson. It said it has received no information about how it started and will co-operate fully with an investigation. It also clarified that the location where the fire is burning has not accepted any new material since 2024. There’s a second area called a Material Recovery Facility that does accept new material. AHS statement Alberta Health Services also sent CTV News a statement that says, in part, “Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health (EPH) is aware of concerns related to smoke from the fire from the ECCO Recycling landfill. “AHS-EPH continues to work alongside the City of Calgary and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in response to the incident, providing public health expertise and helping interpret available air quality data to assess potential health impacts. “Air quality monitoring has detected elevated levels of very small particles called PM (fine particulate matter), with some concentrations exceeding Alberta’s hourly air quality guideline. At times, conditions close to the fire have been equivalent to the high risk category on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). “People living or spending time in areas downward of a of the area may be exposed to higher concentrations of these particles. “However, air quality can change significantly over short distances due to wind patterns, terrain, and local conditions; therefore, monitoring results may not reflect individual exposures at all locations.” With files from CTV News’ Kevin Fleming
