Roundup: Iqaluit Dumpcano Video and Timeline

As some of you may know, Iqaluit’s dump is on fire. Yes, you read that correctly – we have a hot mess of burning garbage in our city that we call dumpcano. The story has been covered widely by both local and national media, so, for us, this isn’t new news. That is, until we received a dark, emotive video made by a reader that demonstrates just how apathetic we can be to daily disasters in our immediate environments. The video is posted below, followed by a timeline of events for those who are not familiar with the YFB Dumpcano.

The Video

This video was submitted semi-anonymously to us, and we’re happy to post it. It’s a beautifully shot film about a really ugly subject.

The Timeline

May 20, 2014: The Iqaluit garbage dump catches fire. The fire chief calls it a “smouldering volcano” and City Council decides to let it burn.

#Iqaluit Dump Fire Watch, Day 2: Big Smoke. pic.twitter.com/C5PBImLSt0

— Anubha Momin (@_anubha) May 21, 2014

May 21, 2014: The “Dumpcano” moniker is born on Twitter:

@KentDriscoll This is gonna happen – what will sell better on a tee…Dumpcano or Dumpferno?

— Jen Hayward (@jenhayward2010) May 22, 2014

May 23, 2014: Dumpcano gets its own Twitter account; people with breathing problems are advised to avoid dump smoke.

I'm on fire.

— Iqaluit #Dumpcano (@yfbdumpcano) May 23, 2014

May 26, 2014: The National Post writes about dumpcano, uses the word “dumpcano” in headline.

May 30, 2014: Officials speculate that the dump could burn for 2-3 months.

Burn baby burn / It's a #dumpcano inferno! @yfbdumpcano #nunagram #travelpics #explorecanada pic.twitter.com/OyVspMQswI

— Anubha Momin (@_anubha) May 30, 2014

June 6, 2014: Two schools close due to dumpcano smoke.

June 10, 2014: Health and environmental officials claim that dumpcano smoke is not cause for concern.

June 11, 2014: Iqaluit’s annual city-wide clean-up is cancelled due to smoke from the dump.

June 12, 2014: City council orders that the fire be put out; Outcrop Nunavut starts selling “Dumpcano 2014″ T-shirts:

Photo courtesy of Nunatsiaq News.

June 16, 2014: The first run of the dumpcano T-shirts are sold out:

Our #Dumpcano shirts are SOLD OUT, but the question is, do we do another small run of them? Anyone interested?

— The Jesstress (@the_jesstress) June 16, 2014

June 19, 2014: The Iqaluit Firefighters Association is not amused with the dumpcano T-shirts.

June 20, 2014: Dumpcano has been burning for one month.

June 24, 2014: The Rankin Inlet dump catches fire; the second run of Outcrop’s dumpcano tees are sold out:

2nd order of Dumpcano shirts is SOLD the EFF OUT! Order should be here early next week, thanks everyone! #stickaforkinuswe'redone

— The Jesstress (@the_jesstress) June 24, 2014

June 25, 2014: Iqaluit’s makeshift dump is at risk of also catching on fire; the fire chief proposes options to kill the main fire.

June 26, 2014: Congratulations to Rankin Inlet! Their dump fire is now “partly contained, but still smoking.”

June 30, 2014: Landfill expert, Dr. Tony Sperling, gives City Council a not-so-glowing waste management review:

In my professional opinion, I’m sorry to report to you, that it’s one of the worst examples of landfill operations in North America right now.

July 1, 2014: Dr. Sperling’s advice prompts perhaps the most ridiculous National Post headline. Ever.

July 4, 2014: Julie Alivaktuk posts a bold photo to Facebook to draw attention to the hazards of breathing in dumpcano smoke; the Government of Nunavut says the smoke is no problem.