ECCO continues to work with the Calgary Fire Department, the City of Calgary and Alberta Environment to address the fire and stabilize the affected area. Fires and localized hot spots can occur at landfill and waste-management sites across Calgary. Many are detected early and contained by trained site operators as part of normal emergency-response procedures; a major fire is different in its scale, duration, potential effects beyond the property and the level of support required from emergency services. The September fire at ECCO developed into a major incident, and ECCO recognizes that distinction and the concern it has caused. Trained operators and heavy equipment are being used to expose and suppress areas of fire, move material safely within the site and place soil over affected areas. Trucks bringing soil to the property are supporting fire suppression, stabilization and landfill closure. They are not delivering new waste for disposal in the landfill. ECCO recognizes the community’s concern about smoke and air quality. The company supports continued monitoring, the public release of verified information and a full review of the fire and the measures needed to reduce future risk.
