I’m saddened to inform you that a contract airtanker fighting a wildland fire in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range crashed yesterday, killing the pilot. The aircraft went down approximately 40 kilometres north of Cold Lake late this afternoon, and the pilot was the sole occupant.
The RCMP have not released the name of the pilot, pending notification of next of kin.
This accident is a reminder of the dangerous nature of our work. Each year, the department spends more than 30,000 hours in the air protecting the province’s natural resources, and every day hundreds of ESRD employees and contractors put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for all Albertans.
The department is co-operating fully with the RCMP, local authorities and investigators from the Transportation Safety Board. The department will also conduct an investigation into this accident.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the pilot’s family and friends. The safety of all ESRD staff and contractors involved in fighting wildland fires is also upmost in our minds.
Bill Werry
Deputy Minister
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development