NEARLY 50 PER CENT OF SASKATCHEWAN’S AERIAL FIREFIGHTING FLEET GROUNDED FOR A YEAR OR MORE

Sask. Party Government Touts Its Preparedness For Wildfire Season Despite Half of Its Fleet Grounded
SASKATOON – New analysis of the province’s water bomber fleet proves that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party haven’t learned a thing from their failures to prepare for wildfires — in fact, they appear to be misleading the public on the work done since last year’s disaster.

Of the 17 aircraft operated by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) for emergency response, eight have been grounded — some since summer of 2025 and other dating back as far as August 2024. The report raises serious concerns about the province’s readiness to respond to wildfires.

“We continue to see Scott Moe’s Community Safety Minister lie through his teeth,” said Jordan McPhail, Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs. “Minister Michael Weger stated that only two of the bombers would be grounded until July for maintenance. Well, what about the other six planes that have not moved since last year?”

The SPSA operates 10 air tankers for wildfire suppression, supported by seven bird-dog aircraft that direct them during missions. Of these 17 aircraft, four air tankers and three bird-dogs are currently grounded, significantly reducing the province’s aerial firefighting capacity.

McPhail also raised broader concerns about the condition of the SPSA’s fleet, particularly the three Convair 580 land-based tankers. The aircraft were originally certified in 1952, but as of 2019, there were fewer than 100 of these aircraft still operating globally, with many industry operators having already retired the aircraft due to growing worries of aircraft obsolescence.

“These aircrafts should have been replaced and retired a number of years ago, but the Sask. Party government is 10 steps behind,” McPhail said. “These are planes that are being used as museum pieces out in British Colombia.”

The analysis from Beck’s team comes hot on the heels of a Provincial Auditor report and another from MNP that detail massive failures on several fronts by the Sask. Party to prepare for and respond to last year’s wildfires, which saw more than 200 homes lost and multiple communities burned to the ground.

The Auditor’s report, in particular, noted the SPSA is required to outline the condition of its assets in its annual capital plan; however, the plan was found to be missing key information regarding the condition, service-life expectancy, and functionality of its aircraft. The report further highlighted that the three air tankers were approximately 70 years old.

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