Yellowknife (Apr 28/06) - The snow isn't off the ground yet, but that isn't stopping Buffalo Airways forest fire crews from taking to the air.

Owner Joe McBryan says this is the earliest he's ever sent his water bombers into action. Two of his planes were sent to fight a blaze burning near Slave Lake, Alta., Wednesday.

"In 1999, we're dispatched May 4 to Ontario, but yesterday, April 26 we were dispatched to Alberta," said McBryan. "It seems pretty big. They were having trouble with smoke on the highways."

Forest fighting crews, including airborne water bombers and sighters are commonly shared among various jurisdictions - including the United States - throughout the forest fire season, depending on need and availability.

McBryan said Buffalo was called because they were ready to go.

"What they do is scan Canada to see who is ready, and we were ready so we got the call," said McBryan.