Canadian Classification System: Since forest protection is a provincial responsibility in Canada each province has its own system for classifying helicopters for contract use, setting equipment standards and for employing them. A typical system is the one that was in use by Manitoba in 1996. The then-named Manitoba Department of Natural Resourcesestablished a stand-by system for all aircraft contracted for forest fire protection missions. This consisted of five levels of readiness, depending on the fire forecast and the time of day: (a) Red Alert: Crews are at the base with the aircraft serviced, fueled and ready for immediate dispatch. (b) Yellow Alert: Crews can be contacted and be at the base within fifteen minutes. The aircraft is fuelled. Minor aircraft servicing is permitted. The aircraft must be airborne within 30 minutes of receiving the dispatch call. (c) Blue 1: The crews can be contacted and the aircraft can be airborne within one hour of receiving a dispatch call. Routine servicing and maintenance of the aircraft are permitted. (d) Blue 2: The crews can be contacted and the aircraft airborne within two hours of receiving a dispatch call. Routine servicing and maintenance of the aircraft are permitted. (e) Green Stand-down. At that time the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources classified contract helicopters in two classifications: Medium Lift Helicopter (a) Light Lift Helicopter. The province also sets equipment standards for these contract helicopters, which are similar to others used across Canada.