Manitoba says it’s working to help manage wildfires in the future by upgrading the province’s fleet of water bombers.
Premier Wab Kinew and Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie announced Friday that three new DH Canadair-515 Firefighter aircraft will include safety upgrades, as well as increased water tank capacity and updated navigation systems.
“Water bombers are an integral aircraft for managing and suppressing wildfires, and a fully functioning fleet of aircraft is required to protect Manitoba communities, property and forests from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires,” Bushie said.
“The investment in these water bombers is a part of our increased investments in firefighting services that will improve safety for Manitoba families, communities and forests for years to come.”
The province said the first of the three new bombers is expected join the fleet in 2031, with the others following in 2032.
Kinew said the upgrade to the fleet is part of the government’s commitment to help firefighters with the tools they need, and is part of a larger investment in firefighting services provincewide over the next few years.
“We’re protecting the people of Manitoba, along with their communities, property and valued forests, from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in a manner that aligns with our Canada-first approach by ensuring these aircrafts are made in Canada,” he said.
The Manitoba Conservation and Wildfire Service called the move “a monumental commitment.”
“These aircraft will bolster the province’s fleet of air attack aircraft, which is critical to keeping Manitobans safe as we continue to see increases in wildfire frequency, intensity and season length,” the service’s director, Earl Simmons, said.