Interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson says his party would spend about $500 million on Crown-owned water bombers and wildfire technology, including AI, if elected on Oct. 24.
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Lorne Doerkson, the interim leader of the BC Conservative Party, says his party would invest about half a billion dollars in a fleet of Crown-owned water bombers and an innovation fund for wildfire response technology, including artificial intelligence, if voters elect the Conservatives on Oct. 24.
Doerkson made the announcement in Summerland on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in front of a rural property that burned down last month during the Bald Range wildfire.
The Bald Range wildfire destroyed more than 80 homes in Faulder, BC, and forced thousands of people to flee from nearby Summerland, according to the announcement details.
Doerkson said the plan is intended to improve wildfire response through more on-the-ground prevention and less bureaucracy, and he also said a provincial fleet would ultimately save money because wildfire-fighting costs are escalating.
He added that the province could help pay for the aircraft by renting them out to other jurisdictions when they are not needed.
The event also included local Conservative candidate Tracy St. Claire and property owner Joel Patan, and it took place while New Democrat leader David Eby was in the Okanagan making affordability announcements, according to the provided details.
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