The Manitoba government is putting $1.4 million into upgrading its aging fleet of water bombers.
The money will mostly go to outfitting the province's seven water bombers with improved communications and navigation systems.
"Our equipment will be outfitted with enhanced vision systems for pilots to help them battle fires when visibility is low," said Conservation Minister Stan Struthers.
The upgrades are funded through Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation. They include state of-the-art navigation, communication, satellite-tracking and infrared vision systems for pilots flying in low-visibility conditions including dust, rain, smoke and darkness.
The pilots who fly the water bombers work under difficult conditions, said Ken Giesbrecht, director of Manitoba Air Services.
"Conditions can change, smoke swirls, and they can be in virtually what they call 'instrument conditions,' where they have no reference to the ground," he said. "In that case, they need the updated avionics to make sure the altitude is correct and also [that they are] away from any towers or hills."
Despite the unseasonably cold spring and summer, the province has not been immune to forest fires. This year, as of June 25, Manitoba Conservation's Fire Program has recorded 115 fires. Of those, 63 have been caused by people.
A breakdown of fires by provincial region:
- Northeast: 29
- Northwest: 38
- West: 17
- Central: 10
- East: 21.
