Black Hawk help: South Australia’s aerial fleet expands ahead of fire danger season

The largest aerial firefighting fleet ever assembled in SA is set to support frontline firefighters and better protect communities ahead of fire danger season.

Five new aircraft will be added to the SA Country Fire Service’s aerial firefighting fleet this season, increasing the number of aircraft from 26 to 31.

The largest aerial firefighting fleet ever assembled in South Australia is set to support frontline firefighters and better protect communities from the threat of bushfires.

The state government has announced five new aircraft – two Black Hawk helicopters, two air tankers and a ‘multi-mission machine’ – would expand the Country Fire Service’s fleet of available aircraft from 26 to 31 ahead of the approaching fire danger season.

CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin said the additional craft would make it easier for the emergency service to manage how aircraft were deployed and where they are stationed on days of high fire danger.

“The addition of a multi-mission machine … will enable quicker access to strategic firefighting and the ability to insert firefighting crews and equipment in hard-to-access areas,” he said.

Five new aircraft will be added to the SA Country Fire Service’s aerial firefighting fleet this season, increasing the number of aircraft from 26 to 31. Picture: Suppled.

“The additional aircraft will also provide greater aerial firefighting support to ground crews, who are ultimately the ones who extinguish all fires.”

The government’s $26.7 million investment $26.7 million will also see two new Aviation Operations Officers recruited and is set to allow additional aircraft to be stationed in the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and Lower South-East regions.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said the government was “delivering a record investment” to ensure firefighters were equipped with the resources to protect South Australians.

“An upgraded aerial firefighting fleet will play a critical role to combat the upcoming bushfire risk and support boots on the ground,” he said.

“More resources in the air, deployed in key regional areas, means frontline crews get help where they need it most and results in safer communities across the state.”

Five new aircraft will be added to the SA Country Fire Service’s aerial firefighting fleet this season, increasing the number of aircraft from 26 to 31. Picture: Suppled.

Two South Australian companies, Aerotech and Helifarm, have awarded contracts to lease the services.

Helifarm owner Tim Anderson said his business, which operates in the South-East, valued the role it played in fighting fires, while Aerotech owner Sam McCabe said firefighting had been the core of his business for more than 30 years.

“The majority of our staff live in rural areas across the state, so we understand the threat bushfires have on the community and are proud to support the CFS,” Mr McCabe said.