CHON-FM was at the Whitehorse air tanker base to cover a practice involving transferring fire retardant from tanks into a Lougheed Electra L-188 aircraft. The fire retardant was then dumped onto the tarmac.
CHON-FM covered a practice in which fire retardant was transferred from tanks to a Lougheed Electra L-188 aircraft at the Whitehorse air tanker base near the airport this afternoon at around 4 pm. The fire retardant was then dropped from the plane. According to Mike Fancie, Fire Information Officer for Yukon Wildland Fire Management, the mix-master training is intended to certify personnel to ensure they're trained to national standards.
Air Attack Officer Walter Nehring says the L-188 Electra holds 11,365 litres of fire retardant. It has a 99 foot wingspan, and is approximately 105 feet in length. The retardant is dropped at 130 feet off "the deck" (the treetops).
The firefighting aircraft is based in the Yukon at Whitehorse, Watson Lake, and Dawson City.

Teslin RCMP arrest two following search warrant
CYFN's Moccasin Mobile Outreach Program receives national recognition for harm reduction efforts
Winter Games Wednesday with Nancy Thompson - Wednesday 25th February (Audio)
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon Government partner on Dawson land planning initiative
Yukon University strike averted as union reaches tentative agreement
Yukon Government seeks input on new École Whitehorse Elementary School location
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games schedule unveiled
Jeremy Harper elected as Chief of Selkirk First Nation
Yukon government pauses implementation of Health Authority, considering repealing Health Authority Act
Yukon University withdraws from AWG
$300,000 fund boosts student attendance initiatives in Yukon schools
Whitehorse to host 2026 Broomball World Championships
Harper to run for SFN chief
Helicopters head to Alaska for exercise
First Nations warn of increased scrutiny at US border, citing ICE actions
Art brings hope to Whitehorse Shelter amidst challenging times
Yukon Schools to benefit from national School food program
Yukon Liberal Party shuffles leadership