RDEK Working to Extinguish Small, Smoldering Fire in Green Waste Pile

Posted: August 6, 2024

The RDEK has a contractor on site at the Central Subregion Landfill working to extinguish a small fire in a green waste pile on site.

“This is a smoldering fire and is currently being actioned. There is no risk of spread and no impact on the landfill’s regular operations at this time,” says General Manager of Engineering & Environmental Services, Kevin Paterson. “Our contractor GFL did an excellent job on site of immediately responding and keeping it confined to the ground green waste pile.”

The contractor is slowly and carefully peeling back layers of the ground green waste pile to identify, spread and extinguish any hot spots. It is believed the fire is a result of spontaneous combustion, which can occur given the high temperatures over the past few weeks. 

“While rare, these kinds of events do happen. We have a site plan and emergency procedures in place and today is a good example of how those plans can help isolate incidents and ensure quick and efficient response,” adds Paterson. 

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