Calgary's Cold Reality: A Weekend of Fires Exposes Deeper Fault Lines
On a frigid Friday morning, Calgary’s emergency services were stretched thin, responding to a trio of alarming fires that laid bare the city’s vulnerabilities. From a cargo van blaze threatening LRT lines in Martinvalley ME NE to a burning Transit shuttle on Nose Hill Drive NW, and a harrowing encampment fire in the southeast, these incidents weren't just isolated emergencies; they were stark reminders of the pressures facing our city, our infrastructure, and our most vulnerable residents.
The day kicked off before dawn when fire crews raced to the 100 block of Martinvalley ME NE, finding a large cargo van engulfed in flames. The incident quickly escalated to a potential structure fire, its proximity to homes and the crucial light rail transit (LRT) tracks creating a nail-biting scenario for responders. Investigators believe multiple heaters in the back of the van, likely battling the notorious Calgary cold to protect contents from freezing, were the cause.
Hours later, chaos struck on Nose Hill Drive NW, between Stoney Trail and 87 ST NW, as a Calgary Transit shuttle bus caught fire. The quick-thinking driver, the sole occupant, attempted to douse the flames, but it took fire crews with hose lines and tender trucks to fully extinguish it. The road closure snarled morning traffic, and the aftermath – a significant ice buildup from the firefighting efforts – required a sanding truck, further impacting commutes for regular Calgarians.
But the most poignant incident unfolded in the 2900 block of 58 AV SE, where fire crews had to cut through a chain-link fence to reach an encampment ablaze at the bottom of an embankment. Inside a burning tent, they found two individuals, both injured and transported by EMS. Investigators pinpointed a heater, used within the tent for warmth, as the likely ignition source, alongside propane tanks and gas cans found at the site.
The City's Burning Strain
These aren't just one-off events; they're symptoms of a city under pressure. The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) has seen its demand for service skyrocket, with calls growing by approximately 15 percent each year since 2020. In 2023 alone, our firefighters responded to over 90,000 emergency incidents. The grim reality for Calgary's unhoused population is particularly evident in these numbers: encampment and abandoned building fires have become a significant concern, with about 100 such incidents in 2023 – nearly double the typical annual average of 50-60.
Under City of Calgary Parks and Pathways Bylaw 20M2003, camping and erecting tents in parks without a permit are prohibited. While portable propane fire pits are allowed at designated picnic sites during specific hours, general fires, and particularly those involving makeshift heating in unauthorized structures, carry severe risks. The danger isn't merely to those seeking shelter; these fires drain critical emergency resources that could be responding to other life-threatening calls across the city. The City’s Joint Encampment Team (JET) and Extreme Weather Response (EWR) programs, which activate when temperatures plunge below -20°C, aim to connect individuals with shelters. However, the continuous rise in these incidents signals a gap between outreach efforts and the urgent, daily struggle for survival.
Beyond Bylaws: Why Critics Are Concerned
While the city focuses on immediate safety and bylaw enforcement, advocacy groups argue that the problem runs deeper than simple infractions. Many individuals experiencing homelessness face complex barriers, including mental health challenges, substance abuse, and a severe shortage of truly affordable housing. For some, shelters present their own challenges, from rules about pets to perceived safety concerns, pushing them towards less regulated – and often more dangerous – encampments.
Critics highlight that merely clearing encampments, or enforcing rules against makeshift shelters, does little to address the root causes of homelessness. In fact, such actions can sometimes displace individuals to even more isolated and perilous locations. The legal challenges some cities have faced regarding bylaws prohibiting camping when adequate shelter isn’t available underscore a fundamental tension: balancing public safety with humanitarian responsibilities. A truly comprehensive approach, they argue, must go beyond emergency response to invest in long-term housing solutions and holistic support services that address the multifaceted needs of Calgary’s unhoused population.
The Bottom Line
These recent fires are a wake-up call, echoing a persistent dilemma for Calgary. As our city grows and faces increasingly harsh winters, how do we protect public safety, support our overstretched emergency services, and simultaneously address the underlying societal issues that force residents into such perilous conditions? The incidents of one cold Friday demand more than just quick responses; they demand a deeper conversation about how we build a safer, more compassionate Calgary for everyone.
