Newfoundland and Labrador weighing options for repairing 5th water bomber to fight Labrador wildfires

By Elizabeth Whitten & Alex Kennedy
CBC News
June 18, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada East

As crews fighting seven active wildfires in Labrador get some help from rainfall, Premier Andrew Furey says Newfoundland and Labrador has all the resources it needs to battle the blazes. With four water bombers in Labrador, Furey told reporters Tuesday, the province has adequate resources for this year’s fire season but there’s room to grow. …Provincial forest fire duty officer Bryan Oke said there are four water bombers, five helicopters and 25 crews in Labrador, with additional resources on the way. …Premier Furey told reporters he spoke with crews on the ground in Labrador on Monday and commended them for their work. “I think we can develop a centre of excellence in firefighting services here … to provide support not just to Newfoundland and Labrador, but to eastern Canada.” The province’s plans includes getting its fifth water bomber, which has been out of service since 2018, back in the air.

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