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For the first time, a Dash 8-400 airtanker departed Canada for Europe to support Sécurité Civile in France on an operational contract for the summer, assisting firefighters in the country.
Negotiations for the agreement began in January 2023 with Conair Group Inc. as France prepared for its summer firefighting operations in response to the devastating fire season in 2022 when more than 65,000 hectares burned.
“France has been exemplary in their proactive response to the consequences of last year’s wildfires that ravaged parts of the country,” said Matt Bradley, president and CEO of Conair Group Inc.
“France anticipated similar wildfire challenges in future years and acted quickly, enhancing their fleet and strengthening their air resources. This spring, France accepted the eighth multi role Dash 8-400MRE airtanker into their own fleet, built by Conair, plus contracted a Dash 8-400AT airtanker from Conair’s fleet, reinforcing their capability. We are proud to support France, continuing to grow our 40-year partnership.”
“Conair has been manufacturing the Dash 8-400 airtanker in British Columbia since 2005. The airtanker is made as either a multi role MRE or an airtanker-only variant, the AT,” added Jeff Berry, vice president of business development.
“It is a modern large airtanker, fully certified by Transport Canada to the most stringent aerial firefighting regulations in the world, supporting safe operations. It is as fast as a jet to wildfires, operates exceedingly well in varied terrain, and takes off from shorter runways located closer to where fires occur, using mobile tanker bases.”
The Dash 8-400 airtanker is being manufactured in Abbotsford by Conair, the only company in the world manufacturing a Transport Canada certified large airtanker every 75 days, with the ability to expand based on demand.
Conair’s Dash 8-400 airtanker fleets are contracted for operations in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Australia, in addition to France. Over 16 Dash 8-400 airtankers are operating around the world, with five delivered in the last year. Three more are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.
“As soon as an airtanker is completed, it goes into operation for a wildfire management agency around the world. We are currently filling manufacturing slots into 2024,” said Berry. “Demand is growing globally. Every country is experiencing the same challenge, more frequent catastrophic wildfire seasons combined with strained air resources.”
Conair has been providing France with airtankers since the 1980s. The country has since built a strong national fleet including 12 Canadair waterbombers and 8 Dash 8-400 multi role airtankers, using both retardant and water to attack fires, with retardant slowing flames and water cooling flames
The Dash 8-400 air tanker works in concert with water bombers by delivering long retardant lines around the perimeter of a fire to reduce its spread, offering firefighters support to help keep wildfires small.
The multi role Dash 8-400MRE airtankers are versatile, with the ability to respond to a variety of national crises, converting quickly between airtanker, passenger, cargo and medevac roles.
Support between Canada and France is reciprocal. As Canada is sending an airtanker to support the French fleet this summer, France, at the request of the Canadian government, sent more than 100 firefighters and emergency response personnel to Quebec to assist with wildfires challenging the province in June.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Conair.
