Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 10/99) - For many people the first signs of spring are buds on trees, birds coming home, snow melting and warmer weather.

Joe McBryan, owner of Buffalo Airways has a different perspective on what the first sign of spring is.

"When the tankers leave -- it's (winter) over," he said.

McBryan said as of Tuesday last week, spring is on its way. That's when McBryan got the word to dispatch several firefighting planes to assist with forest fire fighting efforts in Ontario and Manitoba.

According to McBryan, sending the fire- fighting planes off is the first sign that spring is on its way because it usually means that in other parts of Canada things are starting to get warm.

Two planes were sent to Ontario and two planes were sent to Manitoba on Tuesday. Each of the planes had three crew members.

When the planes will come back is not known.

"That all depends on mother nature," said McBryan.

"We work hand in hand with mother nature now -- but she calls all the shots," he added.

McBryan is confident that fighting fires from the air is safe. McBryan has been in the fire suppression business since 1970.

"This is what we do best," said McBryan.

He said that many precautions are taken to see that the pilots and their crews are safe while they try to make the outdoors safe for others.

In fact, many of the crew members get excited about being sent out.

"Everything happens right now -- It's an extremely fun to do," said Marc Vanderaegen, a pilot who is making the trip.

"Everything is always done safety first," added Vanderaegen.

"I'm chomping at the bit -- it's something to look forward to," said flight engineer Myles Cane before leaving on Tuesday.

Cane said the crew found out they had been called to help at the fire scenes at about 12 p.m. on Monday. They began the hard work of preparing as soon as they found out.

As for kissing loved ones goodbye, Cane said friends and family and special someones knew what they were signing up for and don't mind too much.

"They just know that this is part of it," Cane said.