During late June and early July, the people of Snow Lake witnessed a number of unusual aircraft in the smoke filled skies above and around their community. The presence of these aircraft resulted from an extended dry spell and the volatile fire situation that it, in turn, brought on. During this period, seven SEAT program (Single Engine Air Tanker) aircraft and their dedicated crews were stationed at the Snow Lake Airport. They were based there here primarily help fight the massive Kisseynew Lake forest fire between Cranberry Portage and Sherridon, but also to protect Snow Lake.

The seven air tanker aircraft fleet were made up of Conair 802 and 602 Air Tractor wheeled planes, as well as an 802 Fire Boss, which was on floats. The man in charge of operations in Snow Lake was Conservation Manitoba air attack officer Jonathon Williams. "Right now we are covering the fire outside of Cranberry, which is 55 miles away," said Williams during an early morning late June, interview at the Snow Lake Conservation Office. "We are based here because it is close to Cranberry and the way the fire was burning they wanted more community protection, as well, we are the only ones who can run off of gravel." Williams says that aircraft in the SEAT Program can land at both gravel and paved airstrips, under 3,000 feet long.

He explained that the initial spotting of fires comes through the Wekusko Helitac Base. "They are on loaded patrols, but we also have detection planes that fly the area and do grids after lightning storms, long weekends and look for smoke," he said. "Right now these guys go out every second day, but it all depends on the number of starts and if the ground crews can handle it without air support."

The SEAT program has been active for about 10 or 12 years, says Williams. "They use these aircraft all across Western Canada," said the air attack officer. "The planes are also used for crop dusting as well, but the idea was formulated to use fire retardant and foam and we gained great success fighting forest fires with them."

The mixture used on forest fires is basically made out of fertilizers, with a retardant additive. Crews mixed it on site at the Snow Lake Airport, using water from Herblet Lake and trucked in supplies. The Wheeled Conair 802's hold roughly about 800 US gallons of retardant or water. The 602's hold approximately 600 gallons, and the Fire Boss on floats hold 800 gallons, but also has the added ability to scoop water out of nearby lakes. When they aren't working on fires, or in the off seasons, these planes are based in southern Manitoba and Minnesota.

In order for the SEAT Program aircraft to set up at Snow Lake's airport, the local conservation office contacted the community's town council and asked if they could run out of the airport for a period of time. Williams says it isn't about moving in and taking over an airport during a fire. He says they work with everyone to make sure that they can get their job done and others can as well. All local traffic is able to take off and land as they please, but everyone is cautioned to be more conscious of the extra traffic. He says that they did ask that a few people move their aircraft, so that they would have ample room to operate unimpeded and so that nothing is damaged. They of course offered help them do this in order to accomplish the moves.

Originally from Manigotagan, Williams has worked for the Province of Manitoba as an air attack officer for the past four years. He explains that his job encompasses overseeing the program by riding with the bird dog aircraft – bird dogs guide in bombers and other aerial attack aircraft. They do the spotting and give the pilots line and target descriptions. As well, he takes pictures and notes, draws up reports, makes certain all aircraft paperwork is addressed by personnel and handed in. As well as ensuring the program crews work in a safe and proper manner. Williams says that he has been working with Conservation since 1995. He started at the initial attack base out of Bisset, working his way up through that program. He was a crewmember, then a crew leader, then a Helitac officer. Then as he explains it, he was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to come over to the air attack program.

Williams says that wherever SEAT program aircraft are stationed, they urge people to come on down and take a look. "We will give you a tour ... we really enjoy showing the aircraft and the program off, as well as keeping a good working relationship with those within the communities we are in," he said.