Aerial Firefighting

During the bushfire season the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has at its disposal 7 fixed wing air tankers and 3 rotary wing fire bombers including an aircrane. The CFS also has access to interstate bombing resources available through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre if required.  The resources of the MAC Helicopter Rescue Service may also be called upon.  Although the aircraft are available to respond throughout South Australia, there are predetermined response areas and criteria for the dispatch of fire bombers during the bushfire season.  The designated response areas, known as Primary Response Zones, take into account communities and other valuable assets which are under high risk from bushfires.  The Primary Response Zones within South Australia are in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower South East and Lower Eyre Peninsula Regions.  Fire bombers are allocated to each zone during the bushfire season.

Aerial fire bombers are most effective when a grass fire or bushfire is small or at its incipient (developing) stage.  The rapid response by aircraft assists ground crews to keep the fire small and enable early control of the fire.

Aircraft can assist containing larger fires; but are limited to protecting assets or strategic control lines that are at risk.  Aircraft can also be used for the construction of chemical fuel breaks.