Province announces details on buying water bombers

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This article was published 25/04/2025 (340 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba government has released more details about its plan to spend $80 million to buy three new water bombers to fight wildfires.

The funds were included in last month’s provincial budget.

Premier Wab Kinew and Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie said at a news conference Friday that the planes will be De Havilland Canadair 515s.

The first plane is expected to join the province’s fleet for the 2031 fire season, while the other two are expected to be added in 2032.

The new aircraft have updated navigation systems, increased tank capacity and more fuel-efficient engines, a news release said.