THE SA Country Fire Service is operating out of a new Adelaide Hills airbase, with 18 aircraft ready to provide water bombing and surveillance support this fire danger season.
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The airbase has moved from Woodside to the new Claremont Aerial Firefighting Base in Brukunga, improving aerial firefighting efficiency and safety of both firefighters and the community.
Greater filling capacity and more parking areas at the new Claremont airbase will result in quicker turnaround times for water bombers. The new airbase and the longer runway will enable air tankers to take off with near maximum loads in all but the worst weather conditions.
SA CFS chief officer Greg Nettleton said aerial firefighting was a key resource for the CFS.
“But it’s important to note that aircraft support firefighters on the ground who are essential in the extinguishing of fire,” he said.
“Volunteers are a major part of the aviation fleet with Air Operations Brigades throughout the state assisting to load aerial bombers with firefighting suppressant.”
Emergency Services Minister Peter Malinauskas says when a fire breaks out, the CFS dispatches aerial firefighting aircraft, meaning bombers often get to the site of the fire before tankers do.
“Support aircraft are used to both inform the bombers and also the public as to where the fire is and where it is headed,” he said.
“This new airbase will improve the ability of the CFS to respond quickly and safely to the threat of fire.
“Aerial firefighting is a critical component of our State’s bushfire response.”
Last fire danger season aircraft responded to 278 fires and conducted 787 aerial bombing missions to support the effort of volunteer firefighters on the ground.
