PORT ALBERNI, British Columbia — Coulson Aviation Canada has begun a 101-day contract with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), deploying a Sikorsky S-61 Type 1 NVG Helitanker to support British Columbia's 2026 wildfire season.
The helicopter entered service on May 26 from Kamloops after completing annual training with BCWS Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) Flight Officers and aviation personnel. The aircraft has already responded to its first wildfire of the season, assisting operations on Fire #C10467 near Quesnel.
The contract continues a partnership between Coulson Aviation and BCWS that dates back to 1988 and supports the province's ongoing expansion of nighttime aerial firefighting capabilities.
Britton Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation: "Night aerial firefighting requires more than adding night vision technology to an aircraft. It requires the right aircraft, experienced crews, proven procedures and years of operational discipline. The S-61 Type 1 NVG Helitanker delivers that complete capability, allowing crews to safely continue suppression efforts after dark."
British Columbia began integrating Night Vision Imaging Systems into wildfire operations in 2024, expanding the use of night-capable aircraft for detection, reconnaissance and suppression missions. Coulson joined the program in 2025, drawing on more than a decade of operational experience in nighttime aerial firefighting.
The company received the world's first NVG aerial firefighting certification from Transport Canada in 2011, followed by similar regulatory approvals in Australia and the United States. Coulson also pioneered the integration of NVG capabilities into the Sikorsky S-61, developing the aircraft configuration, crew training standards and operating procedures for Type 1 nighttime suppression.
The S-61 Type 1 Helitanker is equipped with a 4,000-litre belly tank, foam and gel injection systems, and hover-fill capability, allowing rapid water reloads from nearby sources while extending firefighting operations beyond daylight hours.
Coulson highlighted the effectiveness of day-and-night aerial firefighting during the Sandy Fire in Ventura County, California, in May 2026. Aircraft operating under Southern California's Quick Reaction Force program delivered more than 641,000 gallons of water, with approximately one-third of suppression activity taking place during night operations.
Coulson Aviation said it will continue working with BCWS to advance aerial wildfire response capabilities designed to better protect communities, infrastructure and natural resources throughout British Columbia.
About Coulson Aviation : Coulson Aviation is the world’s largest aerial firefighting company, built on more than 60 years of operational heritage and four decades of aerial firefighting experience. Operating across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia, Coulson is a trusted partner to county, state, and federal agencies worldwide. The company operates a next-generation fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft supported by integrated retardant systems, intelligence platforms, training, and mission support. By investing ahead of operational demand and focusing exclusively on sustainable, in-production airframes and continuous innovation, Coulson is setting the standard for the future of aerial firefighting while protecting what matters most.