A stubborn blaze that’s been burning at a Strathcona County recycling centre since Tuesday night was declared out early Thursday morning.
The fire broke out at the Genalta Recycling facility, in the area of 34 Street and 93 Avenue, just after 10 p.m. Tuesday. It’s believed the blaze started in a pile of recyclable material.
The fire burned through the night and into Wednesday morning, when a massive plume of smoke from the blaze led to air quality concerns. Residents in the affected area, including southwest Sherwood Park, were asked to remain indoors.
Devin Capcara, deputy chief of operations with Strathcona County Emergency Services, said three crews worked through the night again Wednesday and had the blaze pretty well out by 3 a.m. Thursday, but were still monitoring hot spots.
The fire was officially declared out at 5:53 a.m. Thursday, Capcara said.
Alberta Environment and the City of Edmonton were assisting with air quality monitoring.
Alberta Environment said Thursday afternoon its Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory (MAML) was on scene Wednesday night monitoring air quality at downwind locations.
“This is in addition to the three particulate monitoring stations that were installed yesterday,” a statement from the department read.
Data will be made available to the public online. Anyone with a health condition that’s aggravated by smoke should stay indoors with their windows closed, Alberta Environment said.
No injuries were reported.