WA aerial firefighting fleet fully online as ‘long and dangerous’ bushfire season prompts early activation

The State’s aerial firefighting fleet is now at full strength with the activation of two Black Hawk helicopters being brought forward by three weeks in readiness for a long, high-risk bushfire season. The Black Hawks were brought online on December 1 alongside the WA Large Air Tanker marking the final stage of an incremental process that began ahead of schedule in October following record breaking September temperatures. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the early activation showed people they need to be prepared. “The aerial fleet is integral to our firefighting strategies, particularly when fires occur in challenging and remote terrain or when there are extreme fire conditions,” he said. “While some aircraft are usually available in November, the full aerial fleet would typically not commence until late December, consistent with when we start to experience high-risk fire conditions. “The steps we have taken this year should send a strong message to the community that WA is facing an unusually long and dangerous bushfire season.” The seriousness of the season for the Wheatbelt region was made clear on October 17 when an emergency-level bushfire came within 3km of the Corrigin townsite. The Corrigin bushfire razed about 750ha of bush and cropping land and was one of about 1600 bushfires reported in WA since early October with the aerial fleet dumping more than two million litres of water and retardant. Cruising at speeds of about 550km/h, the WA LAT, a C130 Hercules, has a capacity of more than 1500 litres while the Black Hawk helicopters can carry up to 4500 litres of water or retardant each. The WA aerial fleet is comprised of 36 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft under the joint management of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. “Our emergency services have been preparing for months including training and bringing forward key resources like the aerial fleet to keep the community safe,” Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said. “Highly skilled and experienced career and volunteer personnel from DFES and DBCA will be supported on the fireground by a fleet of advanced and agile aircraft that provide aerial suppression, containment and intelligence. “I urge every Western Australian to finalise their bushfire preparations now and use the My Bushfire Plan app or website to make critical safety decisions in case they are threatened by a fire.” Commissioner Klemm echoed the minister’s appeal. “It is very concerning that only just over one per cent of households have a recorded bushfire plan,” he said. “I ask everyone to take the time to sit down with your family now and agree on your course of action using the My Bushfire Plan platform.”