Tragic Loss: Helicopter Pilot Dies in Alberta Mega-Fire Battle

2023-07-20 21:52:47

– Death of a helicopter pilot fighting fires

A third person died on Wednesday July 19 while fighting mega-fires in Canada. The pilot of a helicopter who took part in the operations died following the crash of his aircraft.

Published: 20.07.2023, 23:52

More than 11 million hectares have already burned this year and more than 880 fires were active in the country on Thursday (with five new blazes declared during the day) including more than 540 considered out of control.

AFP

A helicopter pilot died in the crash of his plane in Alberta, in western Canada, while taking part in the fight once morest the fires ravaging the country, police announced Thursday. It is the third death of a person battling mega-wildfires in the country following two firefighters died last week in two separate operations.

The helicopter was reported missing early Wednesday evening, before the aircraft was later located near Haig Lake in northern Alberta. “The helicopter crashed during firefighting operations,” said Chris Krepski, of the Office of Safety (TSB), adding that the accident took place in an isolated location. The TSB said it has opened an investigation.

11 million hectares already burned this year

“Forestry workers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the sole occupant of the helicopter,” the province’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement. The 41-year-old pilot was later transported to an airport where he was pronounced dead. “I am devastated to learn that another Canadian who was fighting the forest fires has lost his life,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, hailing a “brave pilot”. “We will never forget his service to this country,” he wrote on Twitter.

In total, more than 11 million hectares have already burned this year and more than 880 fires were active in the country on Thursday (with five new blazes declared during the day) including more than 540 considered out of control. It is mainly the boreal forest that goes up in smoke, far from inhabited areas, thus causing little material and human damage, but with heavy consequences for the environment.

Canada, which due to its geographical location is warming faster than the rest of the planet, has been confronted in recent years with extreme weather events whose intensity and frequency have been increased by climate change.

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