PROVINCE CONFIRMS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR AERIAL FIREFIGHTING FLEET RENEWAL

The Saskatchewan government today confirmed an additional investment of $93 million to modernize the province's northern aerial firefighting fleet. Most of this funding will be used to upgrade the province's amphibious Canadair CL-215 airtankers.

"Expanding the fleet's capacity and improving its operational capabilities will contribute directly to the safety of northern communities, the protection of valuable commercial timber resources and property and support government's goal of building a green and prosperous economy," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "With the $42.4 million announced by government last November to renew the province's land-based airtankers over four years, this new commitment confirms the financial resources required to complete the majority of the province's long-term plan for aerial firefighting fleet renewal."

The bulk of the new funding (approximately $73 million) will be spent converting the radial engines on four of the province's six Canadair CL-215 amphibious airtankers to more reliable turbine engines. However, some of the new funding will also be used to finish the renewal of land-based airtankers and for work on airport hangars, runways and aprons.

"Our aerial firefighting fleet renewal plan is already underway, with the recent purchase of two light, fast-flying, twin-turbine-engine aircraft," Forbes said. "On fire operations, these planes will guide the four new land based turbine-engine Convair 580A airtankers that are scheduled to replace our older Dehavilland Tracker airtankers in 2006."

Along with the deployment of heavy equipment and support from firefighters on the ground, Saskatchewan's fire suppression airtanker fleet plays a vital role in wildfire management and suppression operations.

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For More Information, Contact:

Steve Roberts Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2206