Without a nearby water bomber in Lab West, MHA wants service finally returned to area

As the forest fire season formally begins, western Labrador's MHA is calling on the Newfoundland and Labrador government to put back in place a local resource that had been in place for more than three decades.

"I would like to have my water bomber back," Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown said Thursday.

"That would be a great step forward is to give us back our water bomber that was in Labrador West since the '80s."

Brown pointed out none of the province's four water bombers has been stationed in the area since 2018.

Brown, who told the House of Assembly that the climate in the vast terrain of western Labrador has changed, said Environment Canada has already listed Labrador West in drought condition.

"We've had very little snowpack this year. The forests are drying up very quickly in Labrador West," said Brown, who had raised the issue in the House of Assembly and later spoke about it with reporters.

Brown said massive fires in neighbouring Quebec last year threatened to spread into western Labrador.

Forestry Minister Elvis Loveless a water bomber stationed in central Labrador can be moved, if necessary.

"Right now, it is in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and if it needs to be moved because of the risk assessment that's done by the valuable employees in the department, then it will be moved to that risk area," Loveless told the legislature.

"The concern in Labrador is taken seriously," said Loveless. "We will ensure that Labrador has the lens that is required in terms of focus of being ready to fight fires if they do happen in Labrador or any part of this province."

The province's forest fire season officially began May 1 across Newfoundland, and Wednesday in Labrador. It remains in effect until Sept. 30.

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