A fire at Kugaaruk’s landfill is close to being extinguished after more than a month, says the hamlet’s senior administrative officer. (Photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut)
Kugaaruk landfill fire ‘very close’ to being extinguished: Hamlet
Blaze has dragged on for more than a month
The fire at the Kugaaruk landfill is close to being put out after two weeks of firefighting operations.
The hamlet is at the “tail end” of extinguishing the fire at the landfill, said senior administrative officer Michelle Byers in a phone call Thursday afternoon.
The fire at the landfill, located about 1.2 kilometres from the centre of the community with a population of roughly 1,000 people, had burned on and off for more than a month until it reignited July 29 and spread across the site.
It prompted a response not only from local fire responders but also the Nunavut fire marshal along with three City of Iqaluit firefighters who flew to Kugaaruk to help suppress the fire.
The hamlet is in an “awkward moment” when the fire is “very close” to being extinguished, but firefighting operations have not been called off yet, Byers said, adding that she didn’t know when that will happen.
Nunavut RCMP declined to comment on the situation, redirecting the request to Nunavut Emergency Management.
The agency did not respond to a request for comment from Nunatsiaq News Thursday afternoon.
Man! Dumpcano really gets around!