NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN – The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) criticized the provincial NDP opposition for what it calls “playing politics with people’s lives, after the NDP raised concerns over grounded air tankers during one of the worst wildfire seasons in a decade.
The NDP questioned the Saskatchewan Party government’s wildfire response after revelations at least four of the province’s 10 air tankers had been temporarily grounded, in addition to a brand-new tanker that remains out of service.
From time-to-time, any of these aircraft will have mechanical deficiencies that may ground them for a short period, from a few hours to a day, but there will be times where aircraft are unavailable for longer periods. This is a normal part of operating any air fleet,” the SPSA said Wednesday.
Marlo Pritchard of the SPSA acknowledged that mechanical issues are an expected part of fleet operations, with aircraft occasionally grounded for hours or days but the season’s intense firefighting demands have led to longer delays.
The SPSA cited acritical national shortage of qualified aircraft maintenance engineers as a key factor in delays.
The SPSA also reported an unauthorized intrusion at its La Ronge air operations base on June 16, where individuals attempted to trespass, disrupting emergency personnel.
Correction: Story updated to say Marlo Pritchard defended its air tanker fleet readiness.
