Airtanker returns to Bundaberg for 2024 bushfire season | Video

The Conair Q400AT is back for bushfire season, and was showing off its impressive capabilities at the Bundaberg Airport on Friday. Watch the video:

The Conair Q400AT is back for bushfire season, and was showing off its impressive capabilities at the Bundaberg Airport on Friday.

Large parts of Queensland are at elevated fire risk this spring, with emergency services warning record August heat and low rainfall has brought forward the start of the danger season in many areas.

Queensland experienced its worst spring fire season in 70 years in 2023, and there are concerns the state could burn again, with vast parts of the interior and Cape York rated at high risk. Bundaberg will once again play host to the large air tanker that holds 10,000L of water and can quickly respond to fires near the coast and further inland.

Bundaberg is also home to a Eurocopter and a water bombing Blackhawk, which will work alongside the LAT.

Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd, Fire Commissioner Steve Smith and Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Officer Ben Millington were at the Bundaberg Airport on Friday morning to welcome the aerial arsenal.

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Together, the aircraft bolster the efforts of the Rural Fire Service Queensland and Queensland Fire and Rescue teams.

Queensland has several aircraft available to assist this fire season.

In total, Queensland’s aerial firefighting fleet now includes 13 aircraft with a combined water bombing capacity of more than 32,000 litres.
At Toowoomba Airport, additional resources are on standby: two Bell 214B helicopters, two AirTractor AT-802 fixed-wing bombers, two air attack supervision platforms, and a specialist intelligence gathering light helicopter.

The Queensland Fire Department also has access to about 150 other aircraft that can be called upon as needed.

The co-ordination of these resources is managed by the QFD’s State Air Desk, which ensures that the right mix of aircraft and personnel are deployed for major bushfires.

Ms Boyd on Friday praised the readiness of Queensland’s firefighting teams, saying the QFD was well prepared for this year’s bushfire season.

“The aerial firefighting response fleet of 13 includes the LAT and delivers an extra layer of support for firefighters and peace-of-mind for Queenslanders.
“But even with an aerial firefighting capability, there’s no room for complacency when it comes to preparing a Bushfire Survival Plan and being bushfire aware,” Ms Boyd said.

Mr Smith said the role of the aircraft was more than just water bombing.

QFD Commissioner Stephen Smith at the Bundaberg Airport on Friday.

“They are also used for mapping, intelligence, and planning throughout the season,” he said.

“As part of RFSQ’s preparations for each bushfire season, air operations personnel from RFSQ and QFR undertake training to sharpen their skills ahead of the season.”

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Mr Millington said the biggest risk this bushfire season was expected to be grass fires, which have the potential to spread quickly in the significant fuel loads built up over the past two years due to rainfall.

“We are already starting to see fire activity and we are keeping a close eye on conditions.
“QFD’s aerial firefighting fleet will continue to provide significant support to ground crews as we see fire activity increase over the coming months,” Mr Millington said.

Originally published as Airtanker returns to Bundaberg for 2024 bushfire season | Video