For Immediate Release
October 7, 2024
NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) is reiterating his call today for the return of the water bomber base in Wabush.
Brown states that while the creation of an Atlantic Wildfire Centre in Central Newfoundland will help with fire and emergency preparedness, it still does not replace a key asset for Labradorians to feel prepared against forest fires.
“Labrador West lost its water bomber after the fifth aircraft was damaged in 2018. Out of the four water bombers, only one is currently assigned to Labrador, located in Happy Valley – Goose Bay. Labrador West continues to face cuts to services and resources.
“This week we acknowledge Fire Prevention Week. As we saw this past summer in Labrador, our province must be prepared and ready for forest fires and evacuations,” said Brown. “The Premier responded to my call in the House of Assembly stating that the province was equipped for the summer. It was soon made clear that we needed more resources based in the region.
“Government has already shown through the commitment to finally fix the fifth water bomber that Newfoundland and Labrador needs more resources for addressing the changing climate and increased incidences of forest fires and evacuations.
“To ensure that the water bomber is based in a portion of the province where we know there is high risk of forest fires, as well as the potential to interfere with key resources and evacuations could be difficult, would be the most sensible thing to do.”
-30-
For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
Comments