City of Iqaluit declares dump fire out

The Iqaluit dump fire that started Monday evening has been extinguished, according to the City of Iqaluit.

"The fire at the West 40 landfill staging area has been extinguished. The area remains closed to the public," stated a tweet sent from the official City of Iqaluit account.

Crews, including volunteer firefighters, arrived at the scene 20 minutes after the fire started and worked all night, according to Stephane Dionne, Iqaluit's deputy fire chief.

It's not clear what caused the fire, which sent plumes of smoke into the air Monday night.

Public health advisory

The Department of Health issued an air quality alert on Tuesday morning, advising Iqaluit residents to stay indoors and avoid the smoke.

They also said the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with asthma, heart or lung disease should stay away from the area and keep windows and doors closed.

This is the first dump fire in Iqaluit since the summer of 2014, when a "dumpcano" raged for nearly four months, causing numerous health advisories about the smoke hazard. 

• Iqaluit dump fire extinguished after 4 months
• Firefighters battle dump fire in Iqaluit

Trucked services suspended

Redfern also said on Facebook that regular trucked services will be suspended on Tuesday in Iqaluit.

"Trucked water crews were assisting firefighters all night and that is why regular trucked services are suspended for today," Redfern said.

"[The] City will be able to deliver limited water to those residents who have run out of water or think they will."

Regular trucked water services will resume on Wednesday.