Firefighting organizations throughout Canada have acquired 10 new aircraft to aid in the 2026 wildfire season. Eleanor Olszewski, the federal emergency management minister, disclosed the availability of these assets in Ottawa on Monday. Provincial and territorial wildfire agencies can now request these aircraft through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Olszewski emphasized that these additional aircraft will enhance Canada’s wildfire response capabilities, ensuring the protection of frontline personnel and communities nationwide.
The newly acquired aircraft consist of four firefighting air tankers, one birddog plane, five heavy lift helicopters, and two additional “support assets.” The government plans to strategically position these aircraft across the country based on anticipated needs during the wildfire season.
Olszewski explained that the decision to lease the aircraft, rather than purchase them, was made to expedite their deployment. This approach allows for immediate service rather than waiting for three to five years for delivery. She highlighted that the leased aircraft come with pilots and an established maintenance program, ensuring operational readiness.
In the 2025 budget, the federal government allocated $316 million over five years to establish a national aerial firefighting surge capacity. Utilizing funds from this allocation, CIFFC entered into contracts with Conair Group Inc., Coldstream Helicopters, and VIH Helicopters to lease the 10 new aircraft and two support assets.
CIFFC is set to receive four Dash 8-400 AT airtankers with 10,000-liter tanks, capable of carrying water or foam/gel retardant. Additionally, three Airbus AS332 L and L1 helicopters equipped with 4,000-liter drop buckets and a cruising speed of 270 km/h will be leased from May 1 to Sept. 27. Furthermore, two Sikorsky S-92A helicopters with 5,000-liter capacity tanks will be leased from May 22 to Oct. 18.
The two support assets are mobile forward-attack tanker bases that can be swiftly deployed at nearby airports to facilitate the quick refueling, loading, and dispatching of aerial support aircraft during wildfire incidents.
NDP MP Gord Johns, representing the B.C. riding of Courtenay-Alberni, expressed satisfaction with the leasing of the aircraft amidst the ongoing wildfire season. Johns emphasized the need for a long-term strategy to establish permanent domestic firefighting capacity in Canada alongside these temporary measures.