Vancouver Island company inks contract with B.C. to help fight wildfires
They're known internationally as a leader in aerial firefighting efforts. Now, after seven years of not being able to fight locally, the Port Alberni-based Coulson Group finally has a small contract in B.C.
Over the weekend, the BC Forest Service accepted the company's offer to supply a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter to fight fires in the province.
Coulson Aviation President, Britt Coulson, says the helicopter is larger than typical firefighting helicopters in B.C.'s fleet.
It's since flown up from California, where the company has a large presence.
"The Type 1 aircraft in that part of the world is the backbone of the fleet," said Coulson.
"So B.C. traditionally uses Type 2 and even some Type 3 smaller aircraft, so starting to bring up Type 1s is going to make a significant difference for the fire situation here," he said.
Coulson says the island company is excited to work in B.C. once again.
"It was a great feeling," he said Monday. "It's nice to be able to give back to British Columbia where we've lived our whole lives. It's a great feeling to be able to be part of the solution."
In Port Alberni, locals are excited to hear that Coulson Group has finally landed a local contract after a lengthy stint of only working internationally.
"Last year, we were the largest operator in Australia," said Coulson. "We were the largest operator in Chile as well. So everywhere, all the other countries we work in, our assets are very desirable."
Currently, Coulson Group's contract with B.C. is only for five days. But, the company says it's at least a foot in the door for potential contracts in the future.
The company says it also reached out to the province again after a fire ripped through the Village of Lytton in the Interior last week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.