Incident
at 40NM SE MUSKOKA ON (CYQA)
Aviation Incident Report #16698: A MAG Canada Aero Commander 500S (C-GJLO/BRDG159) from Muskoka, ON (CYQA) to Muskoka, ON (CYQA) and 3 de Havilland DHC 6 Twin Otters (Tanker 844, Tanker 846 and Tanker 847) were dispatched to a 1.1 hectare forest fire located 40 miles southeast of CYQA (Latitude 44 44.69 Longitude 78 27.25). The forest fire was visible from 30 miles and had a plume of smoke about 1000 feet high. While approaching the fire, BRDG159 made an initial radio call at 30 miles, using large lakes to describe the location of the fire. Shortly afterward, the pilot of an Ornge Global Air Agusta AW139 on a flight to Peterborough, ON (CYPQ) issued a position report, stating they were in the Haliburton-Peterborough corridor. At 10 miles, BRDG159 announced they were taking over the airspace over the fire and stated the intentions and the altitudes of all four aircraft. BRDG159 established the birddog over the fire at 3000 feet above sea level (ASL), while Tanker 844, Tanker 846, and Tanker 847 conducted an inspection of a lake 3 miles west of the fire. While inspecting the lake, one of the Tanker pilots reported that the Agusta AW139 was within 1 mile or less of the fire, at a low level. Likely due to the orbit of the birddog and the position of the helicopter, it was not seen from the birddog. Contact was not established with the Agusta AW139. During their debrief, the three Tanker pilots stated that the helicopter was at a low level and in their circuit pattern for the fire. If they had started bombing the fire, there would have been a serious risk of collision with the helicopter.
UPDATE: Correction of aircraft information for Tanker 844, Tanker 846, and Tanker 847. Narrative modified to read as follows: "A MAG Canada Aero Commander 500S (C-GJLO/BRDG159) from Muskoka, ON (CYQA) to Muskoka, ON (CYQA) and a Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources de Havilland DHC-2 MK. III (Tanker 844), a Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources de Havilland DHC-2 MK. III (Tanker 846), and a Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources de Havilland DHC-2 MK. III (Tanker 847) were dispatched to a 1.1 hectare forest fire..."