As another wildfire season approaches the Saskatchewan NDP opposition is again raising concerns about the water bomber fleet for the province.
According to the NDP, Saskatchewan’s water bomber fleet of 10 aircraft is down to 6 as the season approaches.
The NDP says aircraft are under maintenance and won’t be ready until July, while a recently purchased aircraft won’t arrive until August.
The NDP also claims the government recently changed the number of Convair 580A land-based air tankers from three to four.
The opposition would raise the issue in Question Period at the legislature Thursday afternoon.
“It appears we’re down four water bombers and have a Sask. Party Government that is completely missing in action yet again when it comes to wildfire preparedness and disaster response,” said Jordan McPhail, Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs.
Last year’s wildfire season was one of the most devestating in recent memory with thousands of people evacuated across several different northern communities.
The most devastated community was Denare Beach who lost 200 homes to wildfires.
Last fall, the NDP called for a oublic inquiry into the government’s response to the wildfire season.
Instead, the government would commission a report from MNP, but to this date, the report has not yet been made public.
The NDP is now calling on the government to explain the current state of the water bomber fleet and to release the MNP Report.
“Wildfire season in Saskatchewan started on April 1 — there is no time to waste,” McPhail said.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s Minister for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Michael Weger says the government will continue to engage with northerners over wildfire concerns.
Weger did confirm that two bombers are under maintenance and would be available this wildfire season.
The SPSA Minister also says they have not yet received the MNP Report and says they will make it public when they do.