Ecublens fire raises questions over whether Thévenaz-Leduc should be moved

A recycling-center fire in Ecublens has left the Lausanne region dealing with closed roads, disrupted trains and warnings over locally produced food. It has also revived a more fundamental question: should Thévenaz-Leduc be moved?

The weekend blaze at the Thévenaz-Leduc site forced the temporary closure of a motorway and disrupted rail traffic. Residents were advised to wear FFP2 masks, while organizers canceled the Lausanne Triathlon events scheduled for Saturday.

Authorities also called for caution when consuming fruit, vegetables and eggs from the surrounding region. The fire's impact has been especially striking because the site sits between the motorway, railway lines and residential areas, putting both the population and important infrastructure at issue.

Several elected officials have mobilized after the incident. For the region, the concern is not limited to the scale of the latest smoke plume. Major fires also affected the company in 2013, 2014 and, more recently, in 2025, giving the debate a recurring and increasingly urgent character.