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Canadair water-bomber builder feels heat of demand as wildfires rage around the world

A Calgary-based manufacturer is feeling growing pressure as wildfires force fire crews to deploy its aircraft across the globe. De Havilland Canada,...

Canadair water-bomber builder feels heat of demand as wildfires rage around the world
Canadair water-bomber builder feels heat of demand as wildfires rage around the world
Photo: Canadian Newsroom Archive

A Calgary-based manufacturer is feeling growing pressure as wildfires force fire crews to deploy its aircraft across the globe. De Havilland Canada, best known for its CL-415 “Super Scooper” water-bomber line, is contending with heightened demand from regions battling large-scale blazes, according to the latest reports.

The company, which operates under the banner of Bombardier’s regional division in years past, supplies aircraft capable of scooping up hundreds of gallons of water and dropping it on active fires. With wildfires flaring simultaneously in multiple countries, authorities are expanding their fleets and renewing contracts, placing the manufacturer at the center of an international wildfire response effort.

Industry observers note that several operators have turned to the Canadair aircraft to augment firefighting capacity during peak fire seasons. The press materials and industry briefings indicate that the Super Scooper and its contemporaries are being relied upon more heavily as communities face longer burn seasons and more intense fire activity.

Officials in Calgary have acknowledged the global demand, while reiterating commitments to safety, maintenance, and rapid delivery schedules. The company’s public statements emphasized ongoing collaboration with firefighting agencies to ensure aircraft are ready for deployment when needed, including scenarios that require rapid mobilization to distant theaters of operation.

Analysts say the current climate underscores the importance of having versatile aerial firefighting assets in inventory. The Super Scooper’s blend of large water-carrying capacity, short takeoff distance, and the ability to operate from multiple types of airfields has helped broaden its appeal for countries grappling with rapid wildfire growth and urban-wildland interfaces.

While the exact number of orders or new contracts reserved for the coming months was not disclosed, sources indicate that the market for firefighting aircraft remains robust and internationally oriented. As wildfires continue to burn in various regions, manufacturers and operators alike will be watching for supply chain resilience, maintenance timelines, and regulatory approvals that shape how quickly aircraft can be mobilized to the front lines.

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