Manitoba to get three new water bombers to battle wildfires

The Manitoba government is spending $80M to add three new water bombers to help fight wildfires.

Manitoba’s water bomber fleet is getting a multi-million-dollar upgrade.

Three aging aircraft are set to be replaced with new and improved Canadian-made planes.

Inside an aircraft hanger Friday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew gave more details about a provincial plan to bolster the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

“Being able to have that quick response during wildfire season, to be able to have eyes in the sky, to be able to have water bombers at our disposal – it’s absolutely critical,” Kinew said. “It is essential to keep you safe here in our province.”

The new planes were previously announced in Manitoba’s 2025 budget, which dedicated $80 million towards the purchase. However, Kinew said Friday, those funds are actually just for the down payment; the final cost is currently under negotiation, but will be “north of $80 million.”

Manitoba’s current water bomber fleet is seven-planes strong. These new DHC-515 water bombers will replace the province’s three CL215 water bombers which have been in service for nearly 40 years and are now nearing the end of their life.

“These next generation water bombers, ideally suited to be used in Manitoba’s hundred thousand lakes, are critical to keeping Manitobans safe in the future as the frequency of wildfires increase along with the intensity and the season length,” said Earl Simmons, head of the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

He said the new planes, made in Calgary, have advanced technology, more reliable turbine engines, along with increased fuel and water capacity.

“These new planes are so much faster to get into the communities of the north, to keep the folks safe in northern Manitoba,” he said.

It will be a while before Manitoba gets to see these new planes in action. The first water bomber is expected to join the fleet for the 2031 fire season, with the remaining to coming the following year.

Despite the wait, Simmons said he is still confident in the aging water bombers. He said the province’s move to upgrade the aircraft is proactive.

Head of Wildfire Service set to retire

Along with this announcement, Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the head of Manitoba’s Wildfire Service is set to retire.

“You’ve made this province a better place, and you’ve helped keep so many Manitobans safe,” Kinew told Simmons at Friday’s announcement.

A provincial spokesperson was not able to comment on when exactly Simmons would be departing but noted work is ongoing to find his replacement.

“The Manitoba Wildfire Service will continue to be led by an experienced team throughout this year’s fire season,” a provincial spokesperson said.

Recently, Simmons has become a familiar face in front of Winnipeg’s news cameras, giving updates on provincial wildfire efforts.

He started with the province as a full-time conservation officer in 1986. Over the course of his four-decade career, Simmons served in communities like The Pas, Grand Rapids, Swan River, Snow Lake, Lynn Lake and Lac du Bonnet.

He’s served as Manitoba’s Chief Conservation Officer and stepped in as the director of the Manitoba Wildfire Service last year.

“On behalf of everybody, thank you, and we wish you all the best in what’s next,” the premier said.