Tassie fires - aviation support ?

[65er]

Hi Guys,
Have been watching the situation regarding the Tassie fires, particularly around the Tasman Peninsula, and was wondering if anything is being done to assist using aircraft. Is there a need, is it already being done, are there any useable airstrips in the region, or are they coping without air support ?
Cheers

[fanning]

helicopters and a airbomber being operating from YCBG and YMHB

I've heard the sea plane from Tasmania Air Adventures have been doing some runs, including paper delivery

no airstrips south of dunalley - so fixed wing can't do much

[717tech]

A Firescan Kingair has been down there too.

[PLovett]

The State government has been chartering fire-bombing helicopters for the past few summers to have on stand-by for such occasions. In addition, the local chopper companies also have some fire-fighting equipment that can be called on. This year, they also used fixed-wing fire bombers (Air Tractors I think) prior to the helicopters arriving as there was a need.

Since all hell broke loose all fire-bombing assets have been in full use. On Friday, Saturday & Sunday I watched both helicopters and fixed-wing in near constant use. The fixed-wing was topping up at YCBG on about a 10 to 15 minute rotation. The choppers were using either snorkel tubes or bambi buckets and were topping up closer to the fires.

Fantastic job by all drivers concerned. :D

[Flying Binghi]

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The reason why we are getting more and more destructive fires... "...prescribed burns were conducted on less than 1 per cent of land managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service..." Stating the bleeding obvious it will take 100 years to finnish the prescribed burn-off program. Nature (and fire bugs) don't wait that long.


"...Tasmania is a petri dish, demonstrating the consequences of green ideology run rampant. No jobs, the forestry industry on its knees, and bushfires feasting on fuel built up over two mild fire seasons. Yet, instead of facing up to their errors, the Greens conveniently blame climate change. They pretend imposing a carbon tax or destroying the coal industry will prevent bushfires, while reducing the actual fuel which powers the flames is “futile”.

Despite the lessons which should have been learned in Victoria in 2009, the fuel in Tasmania’s forests has been allowed to build up because of Green opposition to fuel reduction burns, which they call “outdated, old school” and a “horrible blight”..."

Continues...
Green arrogance burns fiercely | Daily Telegraph Miranda Devine Blog (http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/green_arrogance_burns_fiercely/)



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[Flying Binghi]

Missed this bit. The Greens want more water bombers in Tasmania...

"...and urge resources be spent on water bombers and early detection, as well as on stopping climate change..."

This burning issue of life and death (http://www.smh.com.au/environment/this-burning-issue-of-life-and-death-20090218-8bee.html#ixzz2Hzn3SnhL)


...:hmm:




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