SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Careless dump-goers are suspected of causing the large fire in the salvage yard of the Yellowknife Landfill on Saturday, which took 12 hours to extinguish, according to City Councillor Paul Falvo.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources helped extinguish the fire by providing a water bomber and helicopters which doused and assessed the area from above.

"It's just a suspicion at this point and you can can appreciate the investigation will be more thorough. I don't want to speculate, it could have been something completely different," he said.

Coun. Falvo received the information on Sunday morning from city administration but further details were unknown.

"I'm just speculating, but someone could have tossed a cigarette, there are a lot of people who use the city as an ashtray," he said.

The fire ignited late Saturday afternoon with the Yellowknife Fire Division responding to a call at about 4.22 p.m. said Albert Headrick, Fire Chief.

A sizable arsenal of 24 fire fighting personnel and six fire engines were sent to the scene, as well as the services of heavy equipment operators Robinson Enterprises LTD and other local contractors.

Also assisting were Bromley & Son Ltd, who brought in water tankers, Great Slave Helicopters supplied one helicopter, Yellowknife Airport helped with personnel along with Public Works, Municipal Enforcement, and the RCMP.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources provided a water bomber and helicopters which doused and assessed the area from above.

For a brief period, Highway three was blocked off by RCMP and Municipal Enforcement because of the billowing smoke.

The thick black smoke also drifted over some areas of the city assisted by strong winds, and the city advised residents on local radio to keep their windows closed while it lingered.

"When you get a good wind blowing in that open area it creates havoc," said Fire Chief Headrick.

He confirmed there was no damage to the surrounding buildings, and no reported injuries.

Water shuttles rushed between the fire scene and the Niven Lake hydrants in order to keep the water stocks plentiful.

Headrick said while the Niven Lake hydrants did experience periods of slow water flow, by and large the hydrants held up well.

At about 10 p.m. active fire fighting ceased and by 11 p.m. all but one of the fire crews had returned to the fire hall, leaving the heavy equipment operators to continue burying the blaze.

"Copious amounts of water were put on, however these type of landfill fires are very difficult to extinguish," said Headrick.

"This type of fire had to be smothered, and that's where the heavy equipment came in."

He said 12 hours later at 4:21 a.m. the fire was officially declared extinguished.

Headrick said all the agencies and organizations worked together seamlessly.

"The people that were involved did an excellent job in containing it and putting it out. They all have to be commended," he said.

The last major fire at Yellowknife Landfill was in June, 2005.