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Transportation and Works
Natural Resources
July 26, 2010
Province's Newest Waterbomber Arrives
The province's forest fire suppression
capabilities have been bolstered with the addition of another new
waterbomber aircraft to the provincial fleet. The Honourable Tom
Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, and the Honourable
Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the arrival
of the province's second new Bombardier 415 waterbomber at
St. John's International Airport today.
"The arrival of this aircraft comes on the
heels of receiving our first new aircraft in April and signals a renewal
of our waterbomber fleet that will serve the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador admirably for many years to come," said Minister Hedderson.
"The new Bombardier 415 waterbomber is the latest in a series of
key infrastructure investments the Provincial Government is making
throughout the province. With the addition of two more waterbombers next
year, this government will ensure the continuation of a strong and
dependable forest firefighting capability throughout the province."
In October 2009 the Provincial Government
announced a purchase agreement, valued at $120 million, for four
Bombardier 415 waterbomber aircraft. The first new aircraft arrived
in the province in April. The two remaining aircraft will arrive in
April and July 2011 respectively.
"Waterbombers are an extremely important
component of our fire suppression efforts," said Minister Dunderdale.
"Our forest fire management staff do a tremendous job of protecting our
people, property, forest habitat and forest resources from the
devastating effects of forest fires. This new aircraft will improve the
province's aerial firefighting capacity, which is especially important
during the annual forest fire season when staff typically respond to
more then 100 forest fires."
The Bombardier 415 can carry more water
and can fly faster than the older CL-215 waterbomber aircraft.
It also operates on jet fuel, which is more readily available than the
fuel required for the older aircraft and increases the aircraft's
efficiency.
The Provincial Government currently operates a
fleet of six waterbombers and has four light helicopters under contract
during the forest fire season. Waterbombers are strategically situated
around the province in Gander, Deer Lake, St. John's, Happy Valley-Goose
Bay and Wabush.
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For
Our Children and Our Future
provides a record $1 billion dollars in
infrastructure funding for 2010-11 as part of an overall provincial
infrastructure strategy which is valued at more than $5 billion over the
next several years. As part of Budget 2010, $50.3 million has been
allocated toward the purchase of four new waterbombers.
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Media contacts:
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Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca
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2010 07 26
11:05 a.m.
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