Re: “Province should renew water-bomber contract,” letter, May 15.
Having worked around the Martin Mars plane as a firefighter, I have to say that losing such a tool as this plane is wholly unwise.
Even if the Mars cannot be maintained, other large-capacity planes can be converted to firefighting use, or a new one could be built. Giving firefighters 4,000-litre capacity air tankers is like using a garden hose to fight a house fire. To be able to drop 32,000 litres at once, as Mars can, is the only solution to huge, out-of-control fires.
With respect, politicians with little knowledge or experience in fire suppression should not be making the decisions to cancel the Mars contract. Review please — consider all those fire situations where only large-capacity water delivery can extinguish certain fires.
Tim Forster
Saanich
