Air tankers set to arrive at Penticton Airport for 2024 wildfire season

Conair air tanker - credit Bernie Hudyma

Watch the skies tomorrow. It’s that time of year when air tankers fly to Penticton Airport to station here as part of the BC Wildfire Service’s air attack base.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, two Conair Q-400 airtankers and one birddog are set to arrive for the season, ready to help with potential wildfires in the region. 

Air tankers are a vital part of the wildfire response in B.C., said BC Wildfire Services. These aircraft are equipped with tanks that are specially designed to contain and drop fire retardant. They are capable of hitting multiple targets in one flight.

Penticton Airport is home to one of Kamloops Fire Centre’s primary attack bases. The Penticton Fire Zone includes a team of year-round staff along with initial attack firefighting crews and other seasonal support staff who respond to wildfires in the area.

From the base at YYF, initial attack firefighters are deployed to emerging wildfires. The base also has facilities that are used for training and to temporarily house an Incident Management Team should they be called in to manage a wildfire in the area.

Visit our website to learn more about Penticton's aviation community. 

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Conair air tanker - credit Bernie Hudyma

 

Photo credits: Bernie Hudyma

 

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