Aircraft are an important part of Saskatchewan’s wildfire management program. Land-based air tankers, water skimming aircraft, bird-dog planes, other fixed wing aircraft and helicopters all play critical roles.
Our Fleet of Aircraft
The Government of Saskatchewan owns and operates a fleet of ten air tankers and seven bird-dog aircraft. The fleet includes:
- Four Convair 580A land-based air tankers;
- Six CL-215 water scooping aircraft; and
- Seven smaller bird-dog aircraft that guide the tankers and direct other air traffic over and near the wildfire.
The wildfire program also depends on long- and short-term contracting of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from commercial air carriers to help detect and suppress wildfires. If you’re an interested aviation supplier, look for more information under Provide Services and Equipment.