GN sends help as dump fire burns in Kugaaruk

Firefighters are being sent to assist Kugaaruk in its fight against a fire in the community’s landfill.

Local officials asked Nunavut Emergency Management to co-ordinate the deployment of firefighters to assist and to provide relief for local personnel who have been trying to extinguish the fire for several days, a news release issued Thursday by Nunavut’s Community Services Department said.

Smoke from the fire is “not affecting the community directly,” it said, as the fire is confined to the landfill.

Officials are monitoring air quality and the GN is working with partners to assess conditions, the release said, adding the community will be updated of any changes.

Kugaaruk has had dump fires “on and off” since late June and early July, said Michelle Byers, the hamlet’s senior administrative office, in an interview.

A fire there reignited Tuesday and by Wednesday, it had spread across the landfill, about 1.2 kilometres from the centre of the community.

“On Wednesday, we started communicating with the fire marshal in Iqaluit, and today we asked officially for some support from Iqaluit to help us get the fire out and keep it under control there,” Byers said.

Kugaaruk has had its share of dump fires in the past.

Last year, fireworks were blamed for causing a landfill blaze that took more than 60 hours to douse.

“Normally, we’re able to get it under control and get it out on our own. This one seems to be a little … more difficult, so we did ask for help this time,” Byers said.

She said she expects the additional firefighters to arrive sometime Thursday afternoon.

The Iqaluit fire department is lending a hand, city spokesperson Geoff Byrne said.

“The City of Iqaluit will be deploying three members from [the Iqaluit fire department] to assist with the landfill fire response in Kugaaruk,” he said in an email.