WHEREAS the Martin Mars water bomber has served the British Columbia Forest Service since 1960, and is the largest direct attack fire suppression aircraft in the world and without the Mars, the British Columbia Forest Service has no direct attack airplanes to fight urban interface wildfires; AND WHEREAS the contract between the BC Forest Service and Coulson Group, the operator of the Mars, expired on August 31, 2013, leaving communities in BC without protection provided by the Mars: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia be urged to renew the contract with Coulson Group and retain the Martin Mars water bomber as part of its fire suppression program in the interests of its effectiveness in direct attacks, delivery cost, its long-term utility and its ability to create safe zones through strategic drops.
Ministry of Forests, Lands Natural Resource Operations Airtankers, helicopters and water bombers have all played important roles in fighting wildfires in British Columbia. As fire fighting technology has improved, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded appropriately by obtaining or contracting new equipment and resources to ensure that British Columbia communities are protected from wildfire risks. A request for proposal was advertised in fall 2013 to contract the services of a multi-aircraft amphibious airtanker group, which would be added to the existing fleet of twelve land-based airtankers. Any company capable of meeting the request for proposal requirements was welcome to make a submission. If a suitable proposal is received, the provincial government expects to sign a contract before the start of the 2014 fire season.