Tragedy struck again amidst Canada's record-breaking wildfire season as a helicopter pilot perished in a crash in western Alberta. This marks the third fatality connected to the firefighting efforts in recent days, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by those battling the blazes.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man from Whitecourt, Alberta, was the sole occupant of the helicopter when it crashed near Haig Lake on Wednesday. Forestry workers were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at a nearby airport. His identity has not yet been publicly released.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences, acknowledging the sacrifices made by those combating the wildfires. "It's heartbreaking to have lost three firefighters, or individuals assisting in the firefight," Trudeau stated, referencing the recent deaths of two other individuals involved in firefighting efforts.

Last week, 19-year-old firefighter Devyn Gale lost her life near Revelstoke, British Columbia, after being struck by a falling tree. Adam Yeadon, 25, also perished while battling a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, on Saturday.

The Transportation Safety Board has deployed investigators to the remote crash site to determine the cause of the accident. The helicopter, operated by Valhalla Helicopters, went down in a marshy area after emitting an emergency locator transmitter signal. The company has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

As of Thursday afternoon, Alberta was grappling with 117 active wildfires, with 17 classified as out of control. This season, wildfires have ravaged over 42,000 square miles across Canada, making it the worst wildfire season on record.