Dear editor,

It is sad to see that our beautiful province is burning up. Wildfires are consuming thousands of hectares of timber along with homes and whatever else is in their path. Unfortunately it appears that the fires we have witnessed in this and previous summers will be the norm for the future.

I have logged in the Cowichan Valley for nearly four-and-a-half decades, and have been involved with fighting several forest fires. I feel the only way to deal with any fire is with full force in its earliest stages.

Through my experience there is no better method of fighting forest fires than the use of the Martin Mars water bomber. The cost of using them may be greater than other aircraft, but the effectiveness outweighs the added cost when all factors are taken into consideration.

For the present and former provincial government not to be putting these bombers to work at this critical time is hugely disturbing to loggers such as myself.

Rob Norman

Duncan