Pilot shortage raises concerns as wildfire season begins in Nova Scotia

CITYnews halifax / By Chris Halef

With wildfire season underway, concerns are being raised about a helicopter pilot shortage in Nova Scotia.

The president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, Sandra Mullen, says the province’s Department of Natural Resources is struggling with staffing issues — particularly when it comes to helicopter pilots.

Mullen says a wage analysis last year showed Nova Scotia’s pilots were among the lowest paid in the country.

She tells 95.7 NewsRadio they’ve since received wage increases, but vacancies remain difficult to fill.

“We still have only two of six positions filled. It’s difficult to recruit these folks,” Mullen said. “They are in high demand, and we need to work toward whatever we can do to recruit. This is not a time to let go of public service.”

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Mullen says the shortage is especially concerning if the province faces another wildfire season like in 2023, adding there should be more urgency to fill the positions to ensure public safety.

Don’t underestimate wildfire season

Earlier this year an official with the province’s Department of Natural Resources said that wildfires can happen anytime.

“Spring is when the risk can change the most dramatically,” said Scott Tingley, forest protection manager with DNR. “The spring fire hazard is a lot of grass and the smaller fuels, grass and twigs and things that dry out quickly, on a warm, windy, dry afternoon it can only take a few hours for that grass to dry out.”

He noted that the department tends to see the most fires between March and early May.

Wildfire risk season in Nova Scotia runs from March 15 to October 15 and during the season no burning of any kind is between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

It’s clear blazes in Canada are already popping up.

Last week, a blaze evacuated and destroyed several homes in Newfoundland.

The Adam’s Cove fire began May 7 on the western shore of Conception Bay, about 45 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital of St. John’s.

Officials said the flames had destroyed more than 20 structures, including homes, sheds and garages.