Short staffed and one bomber out, the opposition is worried about forest fire season

    Thursday, 13 July 2023 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Shadow Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey says NAPE confirmed staff shortages a month ago and said they could only adequately fly three water bombers.

    Shadow Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey is sounding the alarm over staffing the province’s water bomber fleet. MHA Forsey says on Tuesday, the province was reduced to one available water bomber in Labrador as forest fires remain a huge concern for the Big Land. He doesn’t want to see a repeat of what happened during last year’s forest fire in central last year when there weren’t enough staff to fly all bombers. Forsey says NAPE confirmed staff shortages a month ago and said they could only adequately fly three water bombers. He says it’s not likely the fifth water bomber will be fixed and ready for next year.

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