Water bomber returns to Wabush after 3-year absence

Wabush once again has a water bomber stationed at its airport, after local leaders campaign to relocate a plane that had been based instead at Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

"I know residents will be very happy with that," WabushMayor Ron Barron told CBCRadio'sLabrador Morning.

He's been asking for the water bomber to return since it was relocated to Happy Valley-Goose Bay three years ago, during construction at the Wabush airport.

• Give us back our water bomber, says Wabush mayor

Labrador West MHA Graham Lettoissued a statement Monday expressing support of a government decision to bring the bomber back to Wabush.

Lettoadded the plane would be returning to the community immediately.

The only other water bomber stationed in Labrador will remain in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the statement said.

Concerns about base

Barron said while the pilot and crew will be housed in hotel rooms in Wabush, that cost will be less than the expense of flying the water bomber back and forth from Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

His biggest concern about the plane's return is the state of the base from which the plane will operate.

The old base was moved during construction at the airport, he said, and "was damaged beyond repair."

In its place is a temporary work shelter, he said.

Wabushfamiliar with fires

Massive forest fires swept through Labrador West in 2013, forcing Wabush residents to evacuate. The fire was, at times, just three kilometres form the town.

• Lessons learned from 2013 Lab West forest fire: Tell the 'real truth'

"With the prevailing winds that day, if that plane wasn't here in the area that day, LabradorWest and LabradorCity probably could have been in a world of hurt that day if it weren't for the fast actions of the crew," Barron said.

"It just goes to show that when that plane is here on the ground, they can react readily."

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