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4w ago

New Brunswick Adds Four Amphibious ‘Fire Boss’ Water Bombers to Wildfire Fleet

The move targets faster knockdowns during a season flagged for higher risk by drought signals.

A CL-415, loaned from Quebec, scoops up water from the Miramichi River while battling a fire outside Blackville, N.B., in 2025.
New ‘Fire Boss’ water bombers are parked outside the Forest Protection Ltd. hangar at Fredericton International Airport.
The New Brunswick government is leasing four Fire Boss AT-802A aircraft, as shown here, that can scoop up water from lakes and rivers as part of its preparedness effort for wildfire season. These are pictured at Fredericton International Airport on Tuesday May 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eli J. Ridder
A new 'Fire Boss' amphibious water bomber is parked outside the Forest Protection Ltd. hangar at the Fredericton International Airport.

Overview

  • Natural Resources Minister John Herron unveiled four leased Fire Boss aircraft Tuesday at Fredericton International Airport, expanding the provincial aerial fleet from eight to 12.
  • The Fire Boss AT-802A can skim lakes and rivers to load about 3,000 litres in 20 to 30 seconds, enabling drops every five to seven minutes when water is close.
  • Officials say the amphibious planes are suited to hit the head of a fire, while the province’s wheeled tankers focus on the flanks to slow spread.
  • The province set aside $3 million in April to secure the planes and Forest Protection Ltd. trained six new pilots, adding to its 24-person roster.
  • New Brunswick started fire season early due to low snowpack and dry conditions, and reporters were told the aircraft can also support other provinces as demand rises, with Nova Scotia recently contracting planes from Forest Protection.