As wildfire seasons grow more intense across Canada, a specialized firefighting plane is being readied in Portage la Prairie, with hopes that it may soon become a more common sight in the skies over Manitoba.
Portage Aircraft Specialties is currently outfitting an Air Tractor 802 Fire Boss for a buyer in Eastern Canada. The company is the Canadian distributor for the Fire Boss, a versatile amphibious aircraft capable of scooping water directly from lakes and rivers, making it ideal for combating wildfires in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Built for the job
David Frisch, president of Portage Aircraft Specialties, says the Fire Boss was designed from the ground up for this kind of mission.
“The Air Tractor 802 Fire Boss is an 820-gallon airplane equipped with Wipaire amphibious floats and capable of scooping water for firefighting,” explains Frisch.
Before delivery, the aircraft is undergoing final upgrades at the Portage la Prairie facility.
“We’re currently doing some avionics upgrades to the radios and load hailer systems, which include sirens and other equipment required for firefighting operations,” he says.
Compared to other aircraft the provincial government is considering, the Fire Boss can be delivered quicker and at a lower cost.
“The Fire Boss aircraft is roughly $5 million per plane when fully equipped, and they could be operational and fighting fires in Manitoba within 14 to 18 months,” he notes.
By comparison, the provincial government has committed $80 million toward the purchase of three large firefighting aircraft that are not expected to arrive until 2031.
“They could essentially buy thirty of these planes for the cost of those three,” Frisch adds.
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Made for Manitoba
While the Fire Boss is not currently part of Manitoba’s firefighting fleet, it’s already proving its worth in other provinces. The Northwest Territories government operates 14 of the aircraft, while operators in Western and Eastern Canada collectively use dozens more.
“One operator in Eastern Canada is currently converting four of their 14 Air Tractor 802s into the float-equipped Fire Boss configuration,” says Frisch.
Frisch says, with its thousands of lakes and large stretches of forest, Manitoba could benefit from using more of these aircraft.
“Nothing can deliver more water in less time. This plane is especially valuable for the initial attack on wildfires. With lakes making up about 16 per cent of Manitoba, there’s always water nearby,” he explains.
Local MLA backs wildfire solution
Portage MLA Jeff Bereza, who recently toured the aircraft, believes that Manitoba should consider the Fire Boss as part of its wildfire response strategy.
“The Fire Boss can get into smaller lakes and remote areas and scoop over 800 gallons of water in 15 seconds or less,” says Bereza. “With the wildfires we’re seeing now, this aircraft could make a real difference, especially in the early stages when a fast response matters most.”
Bereza also highlights the practical benefit of having the aircraft serviced locally.
Having local servicing capabilities could also prove crucial during future wildfire emergencies, minimizing downtime and keeping aircraft in action when every minute counts.
“The distributor is right here in Portage la Prairie. If a plane went down or needed repairs, it could be serviced immediately. That kind of support is invaluable during an emergency,” he adds. “I heard stories from people who had to leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs, and it’s an awful situation. Maybe in the future, with the right firefighting equipment, we can prevent that. If we deal with these fires quickly, people won’t have to evacuate.”
As Manitoba continues to grapple with growing wildfire threats, the Fire Boss represents a potentially game-changing tool in the fight to protect communities, forests, and lives across the province.
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