File Photo: Credit Alberta Wildfire
A helicopter pilot who was helping fight fires in northern Alberta was killed in a crash on Wednesday.
The Bell 205A craft “collided with terrain during firefighting operations” at 6:13 p.m. in a remote location near Haig Lake, the Transportation Safety Board told CTV News Edmonton.
The agency said one person was on board, but did not initially confirm the death.
RCMP say the victim was a 41-year-old man from Whitecourt, and has unfortunately died from injuries he sustained in the crash, despite life-saving efforts by forestry workers who arrived at the site first.
The helicopter was operated by Valhalla Helicopters, based in West Kelowna, B.C., according to the TSB.
As of Thursday morning, there were 117 active wildfires in Alberta, 17 of which were considered out of control.
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