IQALUIT - The dump fire is continuing to burn and firefighters are still working hard to ensure it does not spread, said fire chief Walter Oliver.

"We're moving into more of a reactionary phase," said Oliver on Oct. 7.

Since Sept. 24, firefighters have been battling a blaze at the city's landfill site.

With winds reaching up to 90 km/h last week, Oliver said there were embers flying off the pile.

The snow helped, he said, in covering the larger neighbouring pile of garbage, which firefighters have been trying to protect from catching on fire.

Crews have been going out with hoses throughout the week. In order for the spray from the hoses to be effective, winds have to be under 40 km/h.

"If it is more than 40 km/h it disrupts the stream of water from our hose line," Oliver said.

Since speaking to city councillors during a special city council meeting on Sept. 27, he said the pile of burning garbage has shrunk from 3,500 square metres to 750 square metres.

Oliver said there should be a reduction of smoke from the fire. The smoke caused school closures on Sept. 30.

In total close to 550,000 gallons (2 million litres) of water has been used to extinguish the fire.

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