Calgary officials push province for air quality testing results of Ecco Recycling landfill fire

City officials are asking the province to release the air quality testing results in response to the Ecco Recycling landfill fire.

A request for detailed air quality results by Ward 11 Coun. Rob Ward and Mayor Jeromy Farkas was sent to Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Grant Hunter, Farkas announced on a Sunday Reddit post .

“Residents have raised understandable questions about the smoke affecting their communities,” Farkas said. “They deserve clear, verified information and full transparency from the provincial authorities responsible for environment monitoring. We have requested an urgent response and will share further information as soon as it is provided.”

It asked for the immediate public release of detailed air quality testing related to the Ecco Recycling landfill fire in southeast Calgary.

“Residents have experienced smoke and odours for several days, and many have reported irritation of their eyes, throats and lungs,” the request said. “They are understandably concerned about the air they have been breathing and whether the exposure could have longer-term health implications.”

Thanks to @RobWardCGY for pushing for answers and transparency on the ECCO Recycling landfill fire. I was glad to join him in asking the Province to release the air-quality testing results as soon as possible. Residents have fair questions. We want to make sure they get clear,… https://t.co/blcDUFPvBi

The request asks for the release of all available results, including pollutants tested, monitoring locations, peak readings and any exceedances of provincial guidelines.

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It also looks for a plain-language assessment from Alberta public health authorities addressing immediate symptoms and potential long-term health risks.

“I recognize that validated laboratory results may take some time,” the request said. “However, all available preliminary information should be released immediately, with appropriate qualifications, so residents can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.”

The letter requests an urgent response and to designate a technical contact who can brief the city and answer any questions that residents have.

The Calgary Fire Department, industrial firefighters and industrial heavy equipment operators remain at work “around the clock” to manage the ongoing fire in the southeast Calgary landfill, the city said in a Sunday update.

Crews continue to apply water, smother burning materials with soil and use heavy equipment to access fires buried within the landfill.