A Department of Natural Resources helicopter that helps fight wildfires across the province will touch down at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth on Saturday, Aug. 23, as part of Tri-County Firefighters Family Fun Day.

The Mariners Centre is at 45 Jody Shelley Dr. The helicopter will be there between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“The department is honoured to be part of this celebration of the men and women who protect our homes and property 24-7-365,” said Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill. “We owe them a great debt of gratitude.”

The McDonnell Douglas MD-500 is part of the provincial firefighting fleet which includes four other helicopters and 41 specifically designed fire trucks that support a ground force of 100 seasonal and full-time staff.

Department staff have been called for 149 wildfires this year, which consumed 508 hectares of woodland and brush. Last year, they responded to 171 calls that affected 301 hectares of land.

“When most people think of firefighters, they envision the traditional big red truck,” said Matt Rhyno, president of the Yarmouth Fire Department. “We are very pleased to have the DNR staff here, showing us the expertise they bring to protecting our lands and forests.”

Over the past two years, in addition to protecting Nova Scotia, wildfire management staff have battled blazes in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Forest fire fighting in Nova Scotia is controlled from a control centre at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park.

Source: Release