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Crews begin dousing Iqaluit’s 3-month-old dump fire

After about a week of on-site preparations, crews began dousing Iqaluit’s dump fire on Sunday.
Smoke pours from Iqaluit's dump fire as the operation to put it out begins. Crews began dousing the fire on Sunday, August 31. The fire began May 20. (Vince Robinet/CBC)

Crews are beginning to tear down the smouldering pile of garbage at Iqaluit's dump.

After about a week of on-site preparations, the crews began dousing the fire on Sunday.

Mike Noblett works for Global Forensics, the company Iqaluit hired to manage the site.

He says crews hoped to begin fighting the fire last week, but they had to tackle some logistical challenges, including a shift from using salt water to using fresh water.

So far, Noblett says the level of smoke and the smell from the dump has remained "fairly low."

Crews tear down chunks of smouldering garbage at Iqaluit's dump. (Vince Robinet/CBC)