Island firm to supply two helicopters for national firefighting fleet

A North Saanich aviation company will provide helicopters as part of the federal government’s first reserve of firefighting aircraft to help provinces and territories respond to wildfires this season.

VIH Helicopters is supplying two Sikorsky S-92A heavy helicopters for the season, with contracts starting immediately and continuing to Oct. 18.

They’re among 10 aircraft and two unspecified support assets being leased for 150 days starting this month by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, thanks to a $317-million allocation in the federal budget.

The government said in a statement Monday that the Pan-Canadian Aerial Asset Program will boost national firefighting surge capacity by increasing provincial and territorial access to

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