For Immediate Release
May 9, 2024
NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) wrote both the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture this week to once again ask for the return of the water bomber base in Wabush to prepare for forest fire season after the region was heavily affected by forest fires in 2023.
Brown is renewing his call for the return of the base after Environment Canada issued a report warning that Western Labrador is experiencing a long moderate drought which puts the region in a higher risk category for forest fires this summer.
“Last summer was a good example of how vulnerable Western Labrador is to forest fires. In June, the region was surrounded by fires just across the border in Quebec, cutting off our road and rail access for a significant amount of time,” Brown said.
You can read the full letter to the Ministers below.
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Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fish, Forestry & Agriculture
PO Box 8700
30 Strawberry Marsh Rd.
St John’s NL
A1B 4J6
John Abbott
Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure
PO Box 8700
Confederation Building- West Block
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
May, 7th 2024
Minister Loveless and Minister Abbott,
I am writing again today to ask for the return of a water bomber base in Wabush this forest fire season.
Environment Canada has published that Western Labrador is experiencing a long moderate drought. This translates to a dry forest floor and a very high risk of fire.
Last summer was a good example of how vulnerable Western Labrador is to forest fires. In June, the region was surrounded by fires just across the border in Quebec, cutting off our road and rail access for a significant amount of time.
We have been lucky so far, but it would be irresponsible to rely on good luck again this year. In order to be properly prepared for forest fire season, Labrador West is once again asking for a return of our water bomber and its base.
Regards,
Jordan Brown
MHA for Labrador West
For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media Relations Manager, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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