The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is responding to a call for assistance from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to help battle forest fires in that province.
Two CL-415 water bombers and seven crew members have been dispatched to the Dryden region for a three-to-five day period.
The request for assistance was administered through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre’s Mutual Aid Resource Sharing (MARS) agreement. MARS is a formal agreement between provinces that provides for the efficient sharing of forest firefighting resources throughout the country.
Adequate fire suppression resources remain in place throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to manage any potential forest fires. This includes two water bombers, helicopters and fire suppression teams strategically located throughout the province.
Quotes
“We are pleased to step up and provide assistance to Ontario during this challenging time. I applaud the air crews taking part in this deployment for their dedicated effort to help to provide support to their fire-fighting colleagues.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“As a member of the Canadian Inter-Agency Forest Fire Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from firefighting assistance from other provinces if needed. We are a small province but big at heart. We are proud of our crews who will help other firefighters protect communities in Ontario who need assistance now and look forward to their safe return.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
-30-
Learn more
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @FFA_GovNL and @TI_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca
Emily Jane Gillingham
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca