Canada Global(Web News)The Manitoba government says it is taking steps to control and contain wildfires in the coming years.
On Friday, the province announced that it has purchased three new DH Canadair-515 water bombers, which will upgrade its existing fleet.
Premier Wab Kinnow said in a statement that upgrading our fleet with these three new DHC-515 firefighter water bombers reflects our commitment to ensuring that our frontline firefighters have the tools they need to protect Manitoba.
But, it’s not just about the people the province wants to protect.
“Water bombers are an essential aircraft for controlling and suppressing wildfires, and a fully operational fleet of aircraft is needed to protect Manitoba’s communities, properties and forests from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires,” said Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushey.
“The Canadian-made aircraft will replace three aging models that have been in service for more than 40 years, keeping Manitoba’s fleet at seven.
The final cost is currently under negotiation, and so we don’t want to compromise the negotiations by announcing it publicly here, but it will be north of $80 million,” Kinew explained.
The new models, called DHC-515s, will be faster, more powerful and more reliable, according to engineers at Babcock Canada. Babcock Canada manages and operates Manitoba’s fleet of water bombers.
The province also announced it is investing $6.7 million over four years in new and additional firefighting equipment and systems, and $1.1 million over four years for a new weather information system, wildfire mapping and reporting system.
The first of the new aircraft is expected to be deployed in 2031, followed by the second two in 2032.
