Ongoing Calgary landfill fire sparking air quality notification, 'likely long duration incident'

The Calgary fire department is notifying residents of potential irritation from fumes as a fire continues to burn at a private landfill in the city's southeast Monday, in an incident that's being called likely one of 'long duration'. Officials say the fire department received calls about smoke and flames near Barlow Trail and Shepard Rd. Sunday at about 6 p.m. 'On arrival at the site, crews found a large fire on the east side of the 'ECCO Recycling' private landfill. Access to the landfill was extremely limited due to poor roads in the site, wet conditions and general lack of access,' a news release states. Fire crews proceeded to set up defensive operations at a business east of the landfill in hopes of keeping the flames from spreading. City firefighters continue the operation Monday, along with help from landfill staff and city waste and recycling services, the latter of which are said to be providing equipment and expertise. However, fire officials say plumes of smoke from the site are drifting to the southeast, and 'will likely cause some irritation if breathed in.' Residents in some neighborhoods are being advised to keep windows closed and remain indoors when possible until the fire is out: Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Town, New Brighton and Copperfield. 'Should you smell smoke in your area of business or residence, keep windows closed and stay indoors if possible.' The Calgary Fire Department Hazardous Materials team is sampling the air and modeling the path of the smoke, and the fire department is working with provincial officials at Alberta Environment to monitor the smoke. While the incident is being called likely 'long duration' there's no word on how long it's expected to be an issue.