Chief Sanford Big Plume is responding to concerns that were raised over a landfill fire earlier this month on the Tsuu T'ina reserve southwest of Calgary.

The fire burned for three days, sending acrid smoke across south Calgary and prompting Alberta Health Services to issue an air quality advisory.

Big Plume said he has ordered the landfill shutdown until an environmental report can be completed, but he insisted there is nothing toxic at the site.

It is designated as a 'clean-fill' site for organic waste and materials from demolished buildings, he said. Building debris came from demolitions at the Abbeydale School, Crowchild Inn, Ernest Manning School and Calgary Stampede.

He added that the landfill is fully permitted by Ottawa but a review of the permit has been delayed by procedural issues.

Responding to criticism he received for not attending a town hall about the fire on Tuesday, he said he would have come had organizer Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart invited him.

"That alderman did not make contact with Tsuu T'ina during or after the fire, nor did she return our call offering an update during the fire," Big Plume said in his written statement.

Colley-Urquhart organized the town hall event for Ward 13 residents and those in Calgary’s southwest to address lingering questions, but admitted at the meeting she had not contacted Tsuu T'ina officials.

"Quite frankly, I have not had any conversations with Tsuu T'ina because my first step is to hear the story from my residents," said Colley-Urquhart.

Mayor weighs in on fire fallout

On Thursday, Mayor Naheed Nenshi questioned the treatment of a city partner.

"I suppose it is a leadership style to have a conversation about your neighbour without inviting your neighbour, or to be a good neighbour by talking about your neighbour behind [their] back, but that's not my style," he said.

Nenshi added he's been in contact with the Chief Big Plume's office from the day the fire started.

Colley-Urquhart declined to not make any further comment on Thursday other than "a number of significant issues and concerns have been raised which will require considerable work and consultation over the coming weeks."