Massive water bomber to help fight forest fires
Posted Jun 3, 2011 6:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The largest water bomber in the world is flying to Alberta from B.C. to help fight wildfires in the oilsands region.
The Martin Mars is to begin dropping huge loads of water tomorrow on the Richardson backcountry fires.
Wildfire information officer Anastasia Drummond tells 660News firefighters are getting the upper hand, across the province.
“We’re down to about 40 active fires, with only three of them still classified as out-of-control,” she says. “If you compare that to a couple of weeks ago when we were dealing with well over 100 fires, 30+ were classified as out-of-control, we’re starting to see some changes.”
However, strong winds and dry conditions are keeping the situation volatile.
Oilsands companies continue to reduce staff in northeast Alberta because of the fires.
The fires have been burning north of Fort McMurray for about three weeks in a 3,600 square kilometre area.
