Home
World
Canada
- BC
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Thunder Bay
- Sudbury
- Windsor
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- NB
- PEI
- NS
- NL
- North
Politics
Health
Arts & Entertainment
- Music
- Film
- Television
- Books
- Media
- Art & Design
- Theatre
Technology & Science
Money
Consumer Life
Diversions
Weather
Your Voice

Tundra fire near Pangnirtung under investigation

Last Updated: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 | 11:32 AM CT

CBC News

Municipal officials in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, say a recent fire on the tundra appears to be suspicious.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire, which broke out about a kilometre from the hamlet on Monday.

Senior administrative officer Ron Mongeau said the fire was relatively small, about 50 metres by 20 metres in size.

"Finding a plastic pop bottle that had been burned in the area was suspicious, but the fire chief is continuing to look into it," Mongeau said Wednesday.

"Arson has not been ruled out."

Mongeau said warm and dry conditions on the tundra were also likely factors.

There was enough moisture beneath the soil in that area, so the fire did not spread quickly, he added.

North Headlines

RCMP to revamp internal investigation policy: The RCMP plans to change the way it investigates its own officers across Canada, including in Nunavut, where two Mounties were recently accused of inappropriate behaviour.
Yukon confirms 2nd swine flu death: A middle-aged woman in the Yukon has died of swine flu.
Hay River residents continue tackling drug issues: The murder conviction handed down this week to an Alberta drug dealer who killed an RCMP officer in Hay River, N.W.T., comes as residents in that community continue to confront the drug trade.
Patient deer rescued from Yukon river: Conservation officers outside Whitehorse lassoed a deer out of the Takhini River in a dramatic rescue effort Thursday night.
Nunavut Tunngavik projects $4.4M deficit: Nunavut's Inuit land claim organization plans to cut back on spending as the result of a $4.4-million deficit it is projecting this year.

Canada Headlines

Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time': Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
Baby survives as crash kills 4: RCMP say four Calgary women are dead after a crash south of Calgary that left only a single survivor —a baby that had been strapped into a car seat.
Renewed optimism in search for missing Halifax sailor: The search for a 68-year-old missing sailor from Halifax resumed Sunday and officials say there is reason to be optimistic after another vessel that made the same trip arrived safely in Bermuda Saturday.
Vancouver Island evacuation order lifted: An evacuation order has been lifted for hundreds of south Vancouver Island residents forced from their homes by flooding.
Disgraced N.S. bishop's replacement named: The Roman Catholic Church has appointed a replacement for Bishop Raymond Lahey, of the Diocese of Antigonish, N.S., who is facing child pornography charges.

Canada Features

More Features

People who read this also read …

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time': Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
Indonesian ferry sinks in storm: Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said.
Iranian forces practise defending nuke sites: Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.
Baby survives as crash kills 4: RCMP say four Calgary women are dead after a crash south of Calgary that left only a single survivor —a baby that had been strapped into a car seat.
Plaskett double winner at Canadian Folk Music Awards: Joel Plaskett's triple album Three earned the Halifax singer-songwriter a double win at the Canadian Folk Music Awards on Saturday.