Manitoba sends water bombers to Nova Scotia to help fire fight
Kinew said two Canadair CL-415 water bombers, accompanied by a bird dog aircraft — which serves as the aerial coordination and observation hub — and an air attack officer, are making the eight-hour journey to the Maritimes, where wildfires have intensified in recent days.
'Manitobans know the wildfire's toll — now we're paying it forward, supporting from coast to coast,' Kinew wrote.
KEN GIGLIOTTI / FREE PRESS FILES
Manitoba is sending two Canadair CL-415 water bombers, as well as a third aircraft, to the Maritimes to help combat wildfires have intensified there in recent days.
A provincial spokesperson emphasized that, 'Manitoba could fulfil the asks from Nova Scotia without impacting the capacity to meet our province's needs.'
As of Monday, nearly 11,000 Manitobans were still displaced due to wildfires.
According to the latest provincial fire bulletin released Monday, most areas in Manitoba are experiencing low fire danger, with moderate danger levels in central and eastern regions.
Wednesdays
A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom.
Also on Monday, the province transitioned its primary wildfire evacuation reception centre to the Holiday Inn at 1740 Ellice Avenue, closing the facility previously in use at the RBC Convention Centre downtown.
The province remains under a state of emergency, which is in place until Aug. 22.
This year's wildfire season is the worst on record, with more than 1.99 million hectares burned to date.
Out-of-control fires remain near Flin Flon, Lynn Lake, Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and Nopiming Provincial Park, among others.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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