The B.C. Government has entered into a one-month contract to use the Martin Mars water bomber.
Advertisement
The province has a yearly contract with the Coulson Group for their helicopters, and was looking into acquiring the Martin Mars this year as well. Some firefighters reported seeing cedar trees up to 60-metres tall shooting into the lake “like torpedoes”. The other, according the CEO Wayne Coulson, is being sent to a museum in Florida.
The four replacement Fire Boss skimmers carry about 3,000 litres of water each and are contracted for $2.5 million per season, plus a combined hourly use rate of $2,000.
Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said given the extraordinary fire situation this year, and recognizing that public safety is paramount, we need to look at every possible “tool in our toolbox”.
The Martin Mars will be stationed at Sproat Lake.
There are now a significant number of wildfires burning in B.C. As of noon on July 9 there were 197 active fires throughout British Columbia.
On Wednesday, July 8, 19 new wildfires ignited across B.C. The Elaho Valley fire continues to burn, now at 37,065 acres.
Advertisement
The water bomber’s owner says the plane will start fighting wildfires Saturday.
