Photo Credit: The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Extra help has come to Saskatchewan skies with the addition of Canada’s first Dash-8 Q400 Multi-Role Emergency Response airtanker at the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency air fleet in La Ronge.

The land-based airtanker is intended to help with wildfires, but because of the adjustable inside cabin, the Q400MRE can change to fit multiple roles for air operations and help provide year round support.

SPSA President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard says, “This aircraft has the ability to support fire suppression in the summer, emergency evacuations and transportation or medevac missions when required throughout the year.”

The new airtanker is going through induction, training and certification right now to prepare for service. Once training is complete, one CV580 airtanker will be retired as part of the planned fleet transition and to make room for the new Q400MRE.

The Saskatchewan NDP spoke on the arrival of the new Q400MRE, stating that the air tanker was meant to arrive back in August, not during November, as announced back in April of 2024.