Bushfire season could be as severe as Black Summer, aircraft deployed
As the region braces for one of the worst bushfire seasons in years, more than 50 firefighting aircraft will be deployed across the state to help battles potentially deadly blazes.
Geelong
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More than 50 firefighting aircraft will be strategically positioned across the state this summer as Greater Geelong prepares for one of the most severe fire seasons.
This year’s core fleet includes 54 aircrafts to support firefighting efforts on the ground and gather intelligence from the air to help make faster tactical decisions.
Two large air tankers will be based at Avalon for the season which can be deployed to smaller regional airports across the state.
In November, large bush fires were burning close to Dereel near Meredith, Gellibrand in the Otways, and in Ocean Grove with residents urgently told to evacuate their homes.
Microflite Aviation pilot Amy Miller operates the Firebird 300 which is used to gather aerial intelligence.
She said the chopper could be in the air within 15 minutes with a pilot and two crew members and takes both colour and infrared footage to track fires from the air.
“It’s like a big airborne camera, it’s eyes in the sky,” Ms Miller said.
Included in the fleet in a Black Hawk and a Super Puma which has a capacity of 4000 litres and can tackle fires at night.
A Bell 214ST chopper will also be available which can pick up salt water to douse onto fires.
Emergency services minister Jaclyn Symes unveiled the fleet at Avalon Airport on Thursday morning and said the region was facing an increased fire risk which could be as severe as the catastrophic Black Summer in 2019-2020.
A majority of western Victoria, including Geelong, Golden Plains and the Surf Coast, as well as southwest Gippsland and the northeast parts of the state are at an increased risk of fire activity.
“I’m confident we have everything we need to respond to this fire season,” Ms Symes said.
Emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent said the increased fire risk was due to a number of factors including rainfall deficiencies in the past 18 months and hotter conditions during winter.
“This has led to more fuel loads (and) fires will start and spread more quickly,” he said.
Mr Nugent said the weather bureau has also forecast a warmer than average summer across the country.
“We are well prepared for the higher risk weather season with excellent support from our aerial firefighting fleet and thousands of dedicated emergency service personnel,” he said.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility.
“Sit down with your household and talk about your emergency plan and what you will do in case of a fire or emergency.”
Originally published as Bushfire season could be as severe as Black Summer, aircraft deployed
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