May 3, 2012
Modern Planes Faster, More Efficient With Greater Capacity: Ashton, Mackintosh
ENHANCED WATER-BOMBER FLEET INCREASES CAPACITY TO BATTLE FOREST FIRES
– – –Modern Planes Faster, More Efficient With Greater Capacity: Ashton, Mackintosh
The addition of two new Bombardier CL-415 turboprop water-bomber aircraft will greatly increase Manitoba’s capacity to fight forest fires, and save lives and property, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton and Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“These planes hold more water, fly faster and make almost twice as many drops per hour than the older CL-215 water-bombers,” Ashton said. “They are the newest and world’s best water bombers and will require less maintenance while using less oil and cleaner fuel.”
The two planes are the second and third of four new aircraft that are being delivered in stages as part of a $126-million contract, Ashton said. The fourth water-bomber is due in the fall. The older CL-215 water bombers will continue to meet the province’s needs for forest-firefighting efforts as the new aircraft are phased into service, he added.
“A wildfire can move quickly and pose a huge threat, not just to forests but to communities and people living in its path,” Mackintosh said. “These new water bombers will greatly improve our capacity to quickly fight fires and protect forests, communities and lives anywhere in the province.”
Last year, there were 315 fires that burned a total of 126,800 hectares across the province, compared with the 16-year average of 492 fires and 183,059 ha of land affected. Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship is carefully monitoring this year’s relatively dry conditions, said Mackintosh.
“When conditions are as dry as they are this year, it’s great to know that firefighters on the ground will have support from the air,” said David Schafer, Manitoba fire commissioner. “We work closely with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship to ensure that rural municipalities and the Manitoba Fire Service are supported whenever and wherever possible.”
“About half of the wildfires in Manitoba every year are caused by humans and we remain focused on the protection of lives, significant property values and infrastructure, as well as forests,” Mackintosh said. “Due to an early, dry spring, we have moved early to put firefighting staff and other resources in place as a precautionary measure.”
“These planes hold more water, fly faster and make almost twice as many drops per hour than the older CL-215 water-bombers,” Ashton said. “They are the newest and world’s best water bombers and will require less maintenance while using less oil and cleaner fuel.”
The two planes are the second and third of four new aircraft that are being delivered in stages as part of a $126-million contract, Ashton said. The fourth water-bomber is due in the fall. The older CL-215 water bombers will continue to meet the province’s needs for forest-firefighting efforts as the new aircraft are phased into service, he added.
“A wildfire can move quickly and pose a huge threat, not just to forests but to communities and people living in its path,” Mackintosh said. “These new water bombers will greatly improve our capacity to quickly fight fires and protect forests, communities and lives anywhere in the province.”
Last year, there were 315 fires that burned a total of 126,800 hectares across the province, compared with the 16-year average of 492 fires and 183,059 ha of land affected. Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship is carefully monitoring this year’s relatively dry conditions, said Mackintosh.
“When conditions are as dry as they are this year, it’s great to know that firefighters on the ground will have support from the air,” said David Schafer, Manitoba fire commissioner. “We work closely with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship to ensure that rural municipalities and the Manitoba Fire Service are supported whenever and wherever possible.”
“About half of the wildfires in Manitoba every year are caused by humans and we remain focused on the protection of lives, significant property values and infrastructure, as well as forests,” Mackintosh said. “Due to an early, dry spring, we have moved early to put firefighting staff and other resources in place as a precautionary measure.”
Open fires are prohibited from April 1 to Nov. 15, except with a burning permit or in approved firepits such as campfire grates in provincial campsites. Due to dry conditions, many rural municipalities in southern Manitoba have burning bans in place. Anyone living, working, camping or travelling through these areas is advised to use caution.
By late 2012, the provincial air fleet will consist of the four new Bombardier CL-415 water-bombers and two CL-215 aircraft. The forest-firefighting program also operates another six provincial aircraft and several contract helicopters.
Since 1999, the Manitoba government has also supported the province’s firefighting efforts by:
By late 2012, the provincial air fleet will consist of the four new Bombardier CL-415 water-bombers and two CL-215 aircraft. The forest-firefighting program also operates another six provincial aircraft and several contract helicopters.
Since 1999, the Manitoba government has also supported the province’s firefighting efforts by:
- adding three initial-attack crews made up of 15 firefighters, for a total of 39 initial-attack crews and 195 firefighters; and
- obtaining an additional contract helicopter for the initial-attack force, for a total of six helicopters to ensure crews are moved quickly to fires.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
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