five_alarm
08-01-2003, 10:29 AM
It's turning out to be a terrible year for forest fires -- which may be a good thing for Vancouver Island's venerable Martin Mars water bombers. The more often they get called in to battle the blazes, the less likely the chances of TimberWest pulling the plug on the giant flying boats. Many Islanders have a sentimental attachment to the aircraft, treating them like a cross between a steam locomotive and Lassie the Wonder Dog. The bombers are familiar to anyone who has ever driven by their home base at Sproat Lake near Port Alberni. With wingspans wider than those of a 747, they float in the lake like giant red fishing bobbers.
Times Colonist (Victoria)... (http://www.firehall.com/cgi-bin/refer?url=http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=e7be42f3-a41f-4904-88f8-9a22e96ccc5f&s=&linkid=88&parent=news)
Times Colonist (Victoria)... (http://www.firehall.com/cgi-bin/refer?url=http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=e7be42f3-a41f-4904-88f8-9a22e96ccc5f&s=&linkid=88&parent=news)