Over 1,000 firefighters and 50 aircraft part of fire response [Video]

“Highly qualified firefighters that are on the ground battling to save not only a northern Saskatchewan community, but to save, quite likely in many cases, their own community and they are fighting and they are fighting very, very hard,” said Moe.

The SPSA has its own fleet of 10 air tankers and seven bird-dog aircraft that guide the tankers and direct other air traffic over and near the wildfires. Last year, the government unveiled more details on four re-purposed land-based airtanker aircraft, consisting of two Dash 8-Q400AT models and two Dash 8-Q400MRE models, being purchased at an approximate cost of $187.06 million. The planes will replace the current fleet of land-based airtanker aircraft, which consists of four Convair 580 airplanes. Those planes will approach the end of their useful lifespan in 2027.

In its daily situation report, the SPSA breaks down what it calls the fires of note and describes …