“The intent was never to cause any inconvenience.”

Dog walkers and hikers can once again freely roam the Road To Nowhere after Iqaluit city council passed a motion June 24 removing three boulders that had blocked the road since last December.

The city closed the road at the behest of fire safety officials who didn't like having to respond to a series of unauthorized burns of construction material that were left unattended.

"My concern was the safety of the residents, especially small children who'd be out in the area playing where there's a fire left unattended," said Iqaluit fire chief Greg Jewers.

He was also worried that fire crews responding to fires out on the Road To Nowhere could have trouble getting back to town to respond to other fires, especially in winter and spring when road conditions are bad.

"Those trucks are so heavy and they carry a large volume of water so any kind of soft shoulder could put the truck in potential [trouble]," he said.

The road also doubles as a popular spot for walking, camping and berry picking.

John Hussey, the city's chief administrative officer, said he received numerous complaints after the road was closed, demanding vehicle access to the upper reaches of the Road.

"We did get a lot of complaints from dog walkers, but the intent was never to cause any inconvenience," he said.

Staff opted to close the road during the short cold days of December, when fewer people use the road for recreation.

And Hussey added the road was closed only to cars and trucks. Snowmobiles, ATVs and pedestrians could all get around the boulders easily.

Jewers said he hopes people will keep their fires small and under control, and get a free burn permit from the fire hall.

"You're just letting us know where your fire is located so that if somebody calls in we know it is a bonfire, we know the location and we'll just send a crew to have a look at it," he said.

Still, Coun. Glenn Williams worried requirements for a permit would lead to firefighters hosing down a "little old lady's fire" built to make tea.

"How bureaucratic have we become?" he asked.

Hussey and Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik assured Williams that small fires built during traditional activities would not be a problem.