The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is responding to a call for assistance from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to help combat forest fires in that province.
Two CL-415 water bombers, four crew members and three maintenance staff are being deployed to Geraldton, in western Ontario.
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
“As the residents of western Ontario continue to deal with extreme forest fire conditions we are pleased to once again step up and assist, by providing water bombers and crews to help address this serious threat to forests, people and property.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“As we have seen on other occasions this year, our staff are temporarily leaving family behind to help firefighters protect communities in Ontario. We are proud of their efforts and we are equally proud of our entire fire fighting team for the security they provide to everyone.”
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