Firefighters have brought a large, multi-day blaze at a southeast private landfill under control following continuous suppression operations that began over the weekend.
Emergency responders were first called to the area near Barlow Trail and Shepard Road S.E. at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2026, after receiving reports of heavy smoke and flames.
Upon arrival, Calgary Fire Department (CFD) crews discovered a large fire burning on the eastern side of the ECCO Recycling private landfill. Initial suppression efforts were severely challenged by difficult site access, including poor, wet internal roads. To fight the blaze effectively, arriving fire crews set up defensive operations from an adjacent commercial site to the east, working to hold the fire to its area of origin.
Throughout the operation, CFD collaborated with ECCO employees, Alberta Environment, and City of Calgary Waste and Recycling Services, which supplied specialized heavy equipment and operational expertise to assist in containment.
During the height of the incident, plumes of smoke drifted southeast, prompting CFD Hazardous Materials teams to conduct air quality sampling and smoke modeling.
Residents in nearby communities—including Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Towne, New Brighton, and Copperfield—were advised to keep windows closed and remain indoors as a precaution.
By the evening of Monday, September 7, 2026, crews successfully brought the fire under control.
Smoke emissions have decreased significantly, and active smoke plumes are no longer drifting into neighboring residential areas.
The Calgary Fire Department has officially released the scene back to ECCO personnel, who will maintain ongoing site monitoring and maintenance. CFD crews are demobilizing and returning to regular service, though motorists and residents in the Shepard area are asked to remain cautious around working emergency personnel as normal conditions resume.