Alberta ends program for firefighters rappelling from helicopters

The Alberta government is ending a program forfirefighters who rappel from helicopters to fight forest fires.

Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen says in a statement that crewshave been rappelling into locations in less than two per cent ofAlberta wildfires.

Dreeshen says the province will work with the firefighters to place them on other crews if they want next summer.

He says the United Conservative government is putting a priorityon two other groups of firefighters who are used more often.

Helitack crews land as close as they can to a fire and hike intoit, and Firetack crews are made up of contract workers.

NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley says the decision to get ridof the rappel unit puts public safety and people's homes at risk.

"For the last 40 years, incredibly brave and highly trainedAlbertans have rappelled out of helicopters, sometimes right on topof the fire, and fought the flames that otherwise we could notreach," she said in a release.

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A firefighter, who does not want to be identified becausespeaking out might affect his career, said rappel crews are betterable to get access to remote areas and can split up to tacklemultiple small fires burning at the same time.

The firefighter added that the eight-person crews are alsohelpful in creating helipads in the brush so that more personnel andequipment can be brought in.

"It's really hamstringing our ability to get that initialaction."

There were about 65 people in the rappel program, which requiresmembers to weigh no more than 180 pounds and go through rigoroustraining.