Aviation staff with British Columbia Wildfire Service will be offered night vision training, allowing for helicopter firefighting in the dark. Erika Berg, BCWS info officer, told Castanet News that the training had been planned for spring of 2023 but had to be delayed.
“We had quite an early start to the season so that training was postponed and it’s now being set for this upcoming spring,” said Berg. The BCWS tested helicopter night vision technology in 2019 and again in 2020, first on detection flights and then during bucket operations in the Okanagan.
Kelsey Wheeler, operations manager and pilot for Talon Helicopters, said the company secured a 5-year contract with Alberta Wildfire using night vision goggles (NVG) for helicopter operations. “The helicopter is an AS365,” said Wheeler. “We got them in 2018 when they joined our fleet and we upgraded them to NVG capability.”
A pilot on a training flight. The NVG-equipped AS365 flew several Alberta fires in 2023. Talon photo.
The Airbus AS365 flew several fires this year, including incidents near Little Red River Cree Nation, Edson and East Prairie Metis Settlement, dropping water on fires. Talon also flew them on recon flights and personnel transport.
Alberta’s now begun a 5-year contract to trial the helicopter, and Talon told the CBC News it completed a trial with BC Wildfire. Aaron Barnhardt, a provincial helicopter specialist with Alberta Wildfire, said it’s a very fast helicopter. “But the big thing is the night vision technology,” he said. “People in the helicopter have night vision goggles on. They amplify light up to 60,000 times, which allows us to navigate, see hazards, identify active parts of a wildfire.”
The AS365 is equipped with a 900-litre water tank (almost 240 US gallons), which can be filled in as little as 20 seconds, and its internal and external lighting has been modified to work with the night vision goggles. Barnhardt said flight crews require specialized training to use the NVG equipment.
Mike Flannigan, a Thompson Rivers University professor, said nighttime helicopter operations along with ground crews could be an optimal approach. “You can’t do it just with helicopters,” he said, “you need to use ground crews as well.”
The British Columbia Wildfire Service and its six regional fire centers coordinate the province’s wildfire suppression efforts in Canada’s southwestern province using strategies the service has developed over its 121-year history. One of its key strategies is an aviation fleet and program that makes the U.S. look like amateurs by comparison.
Western Canada forests are dense and often inaccessible from the ground, so the province relies heavily on its aerial firefighting program to keep fires from burning into huge mega-fires. The job of conducting aerial attacks has become more challenging in recent years due to hotter weather, lower humidity, longer and smokier fire seasons, and an ever-present load of fuels to feed fires. A recent report by the Prince George Citizen helps explain what Michael Benson knows from experience.
Before he joined Conair Aerial Firefighting this spring as the company’s director of business development, Michael Benson spent 17 years flying with the B.C. Wildfire Service as an air attack officer. For seven of those years he led the provincial airtanker program.
“From my perspective, British Columbia has the most advanced airtanker program in the world,” Benson declares, “and the power of the fleet is immense.”
From his base in Abbotsford, he explains that B.C. has a lot of planes and a lot of speed. “It’s quite an amazing fleet. Most people in B.C. just don’t know how fortunate we are to have such a mighty fleet and a competent wildfire agency managing the fleet.”
Conair Aerial Firefighting has 70 firefighting aircraft, 29 of which are based in B.C. alone. It is the world’s largest privately owned fixed-wing aerial firefighting fleet, operating in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and France.
Benson says other provinces are having to catch up to B.C.’s firefighting equipment and labor force capacity. Fire season started earlier this year in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia — and more countries are facing similar wildfire battles brought on by climate change.
“One of the characteristics of this year is it wasn’t just B.C. that was busy; much of Canada was busy at the same time, and that creates some real challenges in that resources are shared across Canada,” said Benson. “Because the demand was so high nationally, it was difficult for any agency to free up their resources and help another agency. We have been lucky that in the USA it’s been an unusually slow season for them, so there has been some added capacity for them to come up to Canada.”
Five of the most destructive fire seasons ever in B.C. occurred during the past 10 years. Amphibious waterbombers that scoop from lakes or rivers are now often used alongside land-based tankers loaded with retardant — one of several adaptations B.C. has made in its fire aviation program. The scoopers fly over the fire to dump water and foam directly while the airtankers skirt the perimeter with retardant. Once those firelines are complete, the land-based tanker is free to go to another fire, while the waterbombers continue to dump water to cool the fire for ground crews.
Prince George is the base for five Conair aircraft for part of the season — a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan birddog that’s used to coordinate aerial attacks and provide air traffic control, plus four Air Tractor AT-802AF Fire Boss waterbombers. Benson says they work well together and it’s not uncommon to get 10 or 12 aircraft on one fire.
“For me, I think it’s the coolest job out there,” he says. “Working for an airtanker program you can effect change in a short period of time because the power of the fleet is incredible. The capability to have 15 or 20 airplanes on your fire in a short period of time gives you the chance to contain the fire and buy time for the hard-working ground firefighters to arrive and actually extinguish the fire.”
Conair Dash 8
At its base in Abbotsford, Conair takes De Havilland Dash 8-400 twin-engine turboprops — commonly used for passenger flights — and in 75 days converts them into airtankers that can deliver 10,000-litre payloads — about 2650 gallons.
They offer more than double the fuel efficiency of other more traditional large tankers, and the loaded cruising speed for a Dash 8 is 360 knots (well over 400 mph), faster than most jets over short distances. First introduced as an airtanker in 2020 in Australia, there are now 19 Dash 8-400s flying firefighting missions around the world. Eight are owned and operated by France — built in Canada by Conair — with the rest operating in Conair’s fleet, four of which are on contract in B.C. this fire season.
A helicopter pilot was killed July 19 while fighting a wildfire near Haig Lake in northwestern Alberta. Ryan Gould, 41, from Whitecourt, Alberta was killed when his helicopter crashed while dropping water on a fire.
courtesy Ryan Gould family
“He travelled and made an impact wherever he went,” Ryan Gould’s family said in a statement today shared by family friend Kassy Goodyer.
Peace Arch News reported that a fundraiser has been started; Gould leaves behind a wife and two sons on their Gypsy Vanner horse farm in Whitecourt. Gould is the third firefighter to die battling wildfires in Canada this year, during the worst season in Canada’s history.
Thursday morning an investigative team was en route to the crash site near Haig Lake, east of the town of Manning in the Peace River region. The site is remote and unreachable by road, according to Corporal Troy Savinkoff, and RCMP were flown in by helicopter; they arrived about an hour after the first police call.
Pilot Ryan Gould was the only person onboard when the Bell 205A went down in swampy terrain on Wednesday, Chris Krepski with the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada said. A signal from the 205’s emergency locator transmitter was received from the site at 6:15 p.m. about 80 km ENE of Peace River, Krepski said, adding that the crash occurred during bucket operations.
The BBC reported that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was heartbroken to hear that another Canadian had lost his life fighting wildfires. “We’ll never forget his service to his province and to our country,” said Trudeau.
The helicopter was operated by Valhalla Helicopters, which is based in West Kelowna, British Columbia.
They will produce the DHC-515 water scooping air tanker, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Dash 8-400 (Q400)
Artist concept of De Havilland Field, with construction scheduled to be begin in 2023. De Havilland image.
In a discussion Wednesday about the numerous massive wildfires in France this year, and what that may portend for fire seasons to come, Gérald Moussa Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, said, “We want to increase the number of Canadair [water scooping air tankers] in our own fleet from twelve to sixteen. But the problem is not to buy them, it is to produce them. Today there are no longer any factories that do so.”
The De Havilland CL-215 and CL-415 water scooping air tankers are no longer in production. But in March the company announced that a new modernized variant, the DHC-515, first teased in 2018, will be assembled in Calgary, Alberta with deliveries beginning by the middle of the decade.
De Havilland has facilities in Calgary where work on the existing CL-215, CL- 415, and CL-415 EAF aircraft currently takes place employing about 1,000 people at six buildings.
Introduction of the planned construction of De Havilland Field, September 21, 2022. De Havilland photo.
The same day Mr. Darmanin said production of new firefighting air tankers is not occurring, De Havilland made a grand announcement at the Calgary airport. The company has acquired nearly 1,500 acres of land east of the city on which they expect to build a very extensive complex of aircraft manufacturing facilities. It will include a runway and will be known as De Havilland Field with construction beginning as early as 2023 with the first buildings operational by 2025.
“De Havilland Field, like Rome — I have to warn you — won’t be built in a day. We anticipate the full build-out will take somewhere between 10 and 15 years,” said company co-owner Sherry Brydson. “We’re planning to take it slowly and seriously, and we’re going to make sure it works.”
The company expects to employ 1,500 workers to produce at least three lines of aircraft — DHC-515, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and Dash 8-400 (Q400).
Work on the Twin Otter and Dash 8-400 paused at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
In February, the company announced the consolidation of Viking Air, Longview Aviation, Pacific Sky Training, and De Havilland Canada under the operating brand De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.
The European Union coordinates and funds the deployment of 12 fixed wing firefighting airplanes and one helicopter pooled by EU countries. We reported in July that the EU plans to purchase additional air tankers.
“European customers have signed letters of intent to purchase the first 22 aircraft pending the positive outcome of government-to-government negotiations through the Government of Canada’s contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation,” an announcement from De Havilland read. “De Havilland Canada expects first deliveries of the DHC-515 by the middle of the decade, with deliveries of additional aircraft to begin at the end of the decade, providing other customers the opportunity to renew existing fleets or proceed with new acquisition opportunities at that time.”
File photo of an Air Tractor 802 Fire Boss operated by Conair. Not necessarily the aircraft involved in the incident.
A single engine amphibious air tanker made a forced landing Tuesday while working on a wildfire in British Columbia.
“This evening a Conair 802 Air Tractor Fireboss Skimmer aircraft experienced an engine failure during operations on the Connell Ridge Wildfire, near Cranbrook,” said BC Wildfire Service Executive Director Ian Meier. “The pilot conducted a successful forced landing and was transported to receive medical assessment. Our thoughts are with the pilot involved in this incident as well as their family, friends and colleagues. The BC Wildfire Service is providing all possible assistance to the pilot and Conair.”
Jeff Berry, Director of Business Development with Conair Aerial Firefighting confirmed the pilot was able to walk away unharmed from the aircraft to a helicopter and was transported to Cranbrook for assessment by paramedics.
“His skill and training as an aerial firefighting pilot under challenging circumstances enabled him to execute an exceptional emergency maneuver resulting in a safe outcome,” said Berry. “He was faced with a problem with the engine, he went through his emergency procedures, and put the aircraft down in such a way that he was able to walk away unharmed. Faced with a difficult bunch of decisions in a very, very short period, he did exceptionally well.”
The Connell Ridge Fire 14 miles south Cranbrook, BC has burned approximately 1,235 acres (500 hectares) since it was discovered August 1, 2022.
DHC-515. Image by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.
As drought and unprecedented heat waves result in a surge of wildfires in Western Europe, attention is drawn to the resources available to assist firefighters, especially fixed wing aircraft.
The European Union budgeted about 900 million euros in 2021 for civil protection, preventing and responding to crises, and expects that amount to increase.
Currently the EU coordinates and funds the deployment of 12 fixed wing firefighting airplanes and one helicopter pooled by EU countries. Reuters reports that as assistance is expected to rise due to climate change and more frequent wildfires, the EU plans to purchase crisis-response aircraft, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said.
From Reuters:
“These planes will be technically bought by the member states but they will be 100% financed by the European Union,” said Lenarcic.
Lenarcic declined to name the companies involved as contracts have not yet been signed, but said plans are to relaunch production of amphibious planes that scoop up water to douse fires.
In a March 31, 2022 press release, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada announced a new twin-engine water scooping aircraft, the DHC-515, formerly known as CL-515. The CL-515 was first teased in December 2018, but the actual production has been delayed.
De Havilland wrote that they “launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter program, which will involve negotiating contracts with our European customers and ramping up for production,” said Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer of De Havilland Canada.
“European customers have signed letters of intent to purchase the first 22 aircraft pending the positive outcome of government-to-government negotiations through the Government of Canada’s contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation,” the announcement read. “De Havilland Canada expects first deliveries of the DHC-515 by the middle of the decade, with deliveries of additional aircraft to begin at the end of the decade, providing other customers the opportunity to renew existing fleets or proceed with new acquisition opportunities at that time.
“The final assembly of the aircraft will take place in Calgary, Alberta where work on the CL-215 and CL- 415 aircraft currently takes place. It is anticipated that more than 500 people will need to be recruited over the coming years to successfully deliver this program.”
Meanwhile there may be disagreement in Portugal about which type of firefighting airplane to purchase. The Portugal Resident reports that the Council of Ministers approved a resolution to purchase 12 helicopters and two “heavy duty” amphibian airplanes. The report is that the country intends to spend a total of €60 million to buy two CL-415s which are no longer in production. They are most likely looking at the soon to be manufactured DCH-515.
The Council of Ministers’ resolution that approved the purchase of the two scoopers, according to the Portugal Resident, “chose to finance the operation with PRR money coming from Brussels, and from money available through the European Mechanism for Civil Protection.”
The Portugal Resident wrote that João Marques, president of the association of Portuguese Volunteer Firefighters, recommends that they spend the money instead on Fire Boss single engine scooping air tankers that he said cost about €3 million each.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry released a statement Tuesday about the crash of the bird dog aircraft at the Thunder Bay airport in Ontario, Canada Monday evening. Below is an excerpt:
“Our Ministry and the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) family is deeply saddened by the loss of a pilot from MAG Aerospace Canada (one of NDMNRF’s long term contract aircraft providers) during a critical incident at the Thunder Bay airport on August 16, 2021.
“The pilot was the sole occupant of a bird dog aircraft – the plane that flies together with the CL-415 waterbombers -and was on route to Dryden for routine maintenance after completing the day of flying for NDMNRF.
“Out of respect and privacy for our staff, our partners at MAG Aerospace Canada and the individual’s family, we are not providing any specific details publicly about the incident at this time. We offer our condolences to all those who have been devastated by this sudden loss of family, friend and loved one.”
10:43 a.m. EDT August 17, 2021
Thunder Bay, Ontario airport at 9:10 p.m. Aug. 16, 2021. Still image from video by Winglet520 video.
The crash of a bird dog plane Monday at the Thunder Bay airport in Ontario, Canada killed the pilot, the only person on board.
In Canada a bird dog airplane has responsibility for the direction of air traffic over and in the immediate vicinity of a wildland fire. In addition to the pilot, they often have an Air Attack Officer in the right, or first officer seat.
The aircraft was a Rockwell Aero Commander 690B, C-GYLD, registered to Mag Aerospace Canada Corp. The company specializes in aerial fire services, aerial imagery, and ISR.
A video recorded just after the crash by Winglet520 showed what appeared to be flames spread along a runway. The description said:
Aero Commander taking off runway 07 at CYQT crashed second after getting airborne. Unknown how many on board and if they got out. Video is recorded by me from Mount Mckay scenic lookout about 5km from the accident.
This aircraft is similar to the one that was involved in the crash. Photo submitted by Forest Protection Limited.
A single engine air tanker crashed August 11 while working on a wildfire near Mount Carleto in New Brunswick, Canada. The pilot, the only person on board, walked away.
From CBC News, by Jennifer Sweet
A New Brunswick pilot in his 50s is lucky to be alive after the water bomber he was flying crashed into a hillside Wednesday August 11 in remote, mountainous terrain in northern New Brunswick.
“It’s a bit of a miracle,” said Steven Hansen, managing director of Forest Protection Ltd., the Fredericton-based company contracted to help the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development fight forest fires. “It’s the best possible outcome from the worst possible scenario,” he said.
Hansen said the pilot is “very experienced” and had been flying for a few hours Wednesday afternoon dumping water and flame retardant on a wildfire.
According to the provincial government’s latest fire activity report, a fire on Old River Road, between the old Heath Steele mine and Mount Carleton, is still out of control.
The plane had just refueled and reloaded with another 800 gallons at the airport in Miramichi and was heading back to the fire when the crash happened, said Hansen.
“There was an unknown issue with the aircraft,” said Jason Hoyt, a spokesperson for DNRE, and the water tanker, identified by Forest Protection Limited as an Air Tractor AT-802F, crashed into the side of a hill at about 4 p.m. “in heavy woods approximately one kilometer from the site of the fire.”
“It’s dangerous work we do,” said Hansen. The terrain was “complex,” he said, and the fire had created turbulence.
It may not be a huge fire, he said, but it was intense.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The national Transportation Safety Board said it has sent a team to look into it.
Forest fire fighters were the first people to get to the scene of the crash, said Hansen.
“They found the pilot climbing out of the wreckage,” said Hoyt.
The pilot was upright, walking and talking, said Hansen.
Both men said the pilot was taken to the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst to be checked over and was released Wednesday night with no major injuries.
Hansen said his company voluntarily grounded its planes following the crash, and is cooperating with the TSB’s investigation.
