Whereas every person in British Columbia has been impacted by this years fire season and the BC Wildfire Service has valiantly fought with all resources in its arsenal and significant out of province resources, the most extreme, historically expensive, personally destructive, and climate change influenced fire season ever; And whereas the Martin Mars water bombers, which are the largest water scoopers in the world with unique and complimentary capabilities to other aircraft and 54 years of service, remained without a contract since 2013 due to changes in operational requirements with the Wildfire Service: Therefore be it resolved that the new provincial government and Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development be urged to enter into a new ten-year contract to retain the Martin Mars and ensure Coulson Group upgrade the aircraft to meet operational requirements in the interests of the need to have all British Columbia based resources available for the foreseeable future.
