All of Newfoundland and Labrador’s five water bombers will be in service for the 2026-27 wildfire season, promises the provincial government. On Wednesday the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure announced a $17-million contract has been awarded to aircraft manufacturer De Havilland Aircraft of Canada to repair the province’s fifth CL-415 water bomber. The water bomber has been out of service since 2018, when it hit a rock in a lake on the Burin Peninsula, causing significant structural damage. Previously announced as a $14.8-million contract, the province says it did not include the costs of HST in the initial statement. According to department spokesperson Maria Browne, the contracts value is subject to change. The multi-million dollar contract will address the structural repairs required so that the water bomber can return to the fleet next year. Additional maintenance will also take place, which is not accounted for in the contracts current price point.