Fire at north Edmonton waste management facility still burning

A fire that began burning through a large woodpile at the Edmonton Waste Management Centrelast week is still smoldering.

The fire is contained, but a crewof four firefighters have been working around the clock over the past few days to put out hotspots, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services spokeswomanJill McKenziesaid on Sunday.

"It is contained. It is absolutely contained and not spreading. It has subsided significantly," McKenzie said.

• 'Difficult' Edmonton woodpile fire now contained

When the fire started on Aug. 30, black smoke was billowing around the facility, located at 250 Aurum Road. The smoke was so thick that Alberta Health Services issued a precautionary air quality advisory that day.

Fire at Edmonton Waste Management Centre contained

8 years ago

Duration 0:57

The fire prompted an air quality advisory due to the smoke but Chris Ward, branch manager for Utility Services, said the fire is contained.

The wood on fire is "white wood," which means it had not been treated or painted. It was burning in an area about the size of two Olympic swimming pools, where people drop off items for disposal. Public access to that space has since been cut off.

McKenzie said she couldn't predict when the fire would be completely out, noting firefighters are continuing to turn over material from the woodpile to make sure hot embers aren't burning underneath.

"It's important to remember the size of it. It's a very large, high pile of wooden material," she said. "Crews have been working on it. They're working very, very diligently,"

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.