US aerial firefighting company Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings is acquiring Wyoming-based Bighorn Airways and its fleet of 12 aircraft for wildfire smoke jumping and special mission transport. The transaction, valued at $39 million, was expected to have closed by the end of September 2023.

“The addition of Bighorn’s assets to the Bridger Aerospace family expands our aerial firefighting services to new mission critical areas,” says Bridger CEO Tim Sheehy. “Bighorn provides year-round logistics for the Department of Defense (DoD), which broadens Bridger’s annual recurring revenue profile. From providing aircraft and flight crews in support of the US government’s smoke jumper programme, to flying missions in the North Pole region of Alaska, Bighorn adds unique skills, equipment and personnel to what is now the largest specialty wildfire aviation fleet in the country. We are honoured to welcome Bighorn to the Bridger family.”

Bighorn’s fleet includes three Bombardier Dash 8s that feature a 7,500lbs payload capacity, a range of 1,200 miles and low-level flight capability for para cargo operations. The company also operates four Casa 212-200 and five Dornier 228-100 twin turboprops capable of short take off and landing. Bighorn is one of only a few air carriers that are approved by the DoD Commercial Airlift Review Board, holds a DoD Facility Security Clearance and is a US Special Operations Command certified air carrier. It provides a variety of on-demand specialty aircraft charter and government contracting services as well as Part 145 maintenance, and also owns and operates the Sheridan County airport FBO in Wyoming.