Warming fires at landfill pose safety, environmental risks: City of Cold Lake

Image: City of Cold Lake. The City says in a statement on Wednesday that the number of warming fires during the winter months is becoming unprecedently high.

The City of Cold Lake continues to respond to fires set at the Cold Lake Landfill.

The fires are likely started as warming fires and, up to this point, have been quickly contained by Cold Lake Fire-Rescue and public works staff. The fires represent a significant danger for those setting them, and a liability for the municipality.

The latest fire at the landfill Cold Lake Fire-Rescue responded to was early in the morning of Feb. 5. It is the third fire at the landfill this winter.

“These fires can be very dangerous and must be reported to Alberta Environment,” Mayor Copeland said. “If people are living rough, we’ve worked with Cold Lake John Howard to provided ample space at the shelter. There is room there for people to stay warm. Staying in outdoor camps poses a risk to the people seeking shelter, as well as to the community at large. These can be a significant public safety risk, with warming fires that can spread out of control and reports of weapons caches being found at camp sites.”

Image: City of Cold Lake.

Any fire at a landfill must be reported to Alberta Environment. Landfill fires, once out of control, pose a significant public safety risk and environmental hazard, with the potential for severe air quality impacts.

“We have been diligent in reporting all instances to Alberta Environment and we are thankful for the quick response and hard work on the part of our public works staff and Cold Lake Fire-Rescue,” Copeland said.

The City has taken steps to prevent trespassing and to monitor the landfill, transfer station, and material recovery facility. The nature of the facility poses a number of challenges that make it difficult and costly for patrols to catch people on site.

“We will continue to do what we can to secure the facility and monitor the landfill over the course of each night,” Copeland said. “The bottom line is that the shelter is the safest place for anyone who needs a warm place to stay. Not only is it warm, but there is access to food and other supports that people can take advantage of.”

The City’s fire services have also had to respond to and extinguish over 34 other warming fires this winter season. This does not include unreported instances that are put out by other agencies such as Municipal Enforcement and the Cold Lake Detachment of RCMP. This is a considerable and troubling rise in comparison to only two such fires in 2018.

Press release: City of Cold Lake.