As wildfire season commences in Canada, aerial firefighting crews are undergoing training to combat potentially severe blazes. Conair, based in Abbotsford, B.C., operates the world’s largest privately owned, fixed-wing aerial firefighting fleet. The fleet utilizes Dash 8-400 passenger airliners converted into air tankers, equipped with 10,000-liter tanks to deliver retardant or water. To enhance accuracy, bird dog aircraft lead the charge, indicating drop locations. Aerial firefighting requires precision, with pilots typically dropping load at 100 feet above the tree canopy. The demand for aerial firefighting services has surged, prompting Conair to convert Dash 8-400 airliners into air tankers at an accelerated pace, completing one every 75 days.