Calgary landfill fire prompts arson investigation and calls for stricter penalties

A fire at the ECCO Recycling and Energy Corp. landfill in southeast Calgary has been burning since September 6. While the Calgary Fire Department initially brought the blaze under control, several hotspots reignited on September 8, producing plumes of grey, white, and black smoke that have been visible in nearby neighborhoods.

ECCO Recycling is providing personnel, equipment, and soil to assist fire crews in suppressing the fire. The company stated that the landfill, which has not accepted waste since 2024, contains only construction and demolition debris such as lumber and drywall. ECCO has requested that investigators consider whether the fire was deliberately set.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has called for stiffer penalties for “bad actors” regarding such incidents and is in discussions with provincial ministries. While officials maintain the fire is contained to the landfill site, residents have reported visible flames spreading through debris piles. The cause of the fire remains unclear.