NSW aviation brief/update this evening for flying staff.
TOTAL FIRE BAN IN FORCE IN GREATER SYDNEY & GREATER HUNTER FROM 0001HRS – 2359HRS 21/01/07
NPWS are managing 2 x Medium helicopter and 2 x Light helicopters at fires around Colo Heights/Blue Mtns/Oberon/Wollemi/Warragamba areas.
Reconnaissance:
A Greater Sydney reconnaissance flight will be conducted tomorrow.
REGION WEST
Fire Name:
Goonoo Frost Fire Class 3 - declared S44 1900 hrs 12/1/07.
Fire Status:
Being Controlled
Fire Size:
24650 Ha
Resources: (Dubbo side)
5 x Fixed wing bombers
2 x Medium helicopters
3 x Light helicopters
1 x Light fixed wing
1 x Mobile retardant trailer
1 x Bulk Jet A1 tanker
1 x Air Operations Manager
1 x Aircraft Officer
2 x Air Attack Supervisors.
Resources: (Coonabarabran side)
1 x Light helicopter.
Airbase Location(s)
The airbase is established at Dubbo airport.
Fire Activity Summary:
Extreme weather conditions today have tested control lines with several small spot overs occurring but were quickly contained by crews on the scene. Further work is being undertaken overnight to strengthen containment lines in those areas. Further patrolling and mopping up work on the 131 km fire perimeter will been undertaken
REGION WEST
Forbes
A fast running grass fire at Forbes this afternoon saw 1 x fixed wing bomber tasked. The fire has been contained.
REGION SOUTH
Fire Name:
Snowy River Class 3 - declared S44 2100 hrs 12/1/07.
Fire Status:
Hermit Mt – Being Controlled
Bobundra Bush – Patrol.
Fire Size:
Hermit Mt – 4601 Ha
Bobundra Bush – 2500 Ha.
Resoucres:
1 x Heavy helicopter
3 x Medium helicopters
5 x Light helicopters
5 x Fixed wing bombers.
1 x Mobile retardant trailer
2 x Bulk Jet A1 tankers
1 x Air Operations Manager
1 x Aircraft Officer
2 x Air Attack Supervisors
1 x Forward Communications Bus (FCU)
2 x Aviation Radio Operators
Airbase Location(s)
Aircraft are working out of Khancoban, Jindabyne and Cooma airstrips.
Fire Activity Summary:
Hermit Mt – Windy and dry conditions have resulted in increased activity along the fire edge. There is one spotover to the north which is currently being contained. Windy dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the night.
Bobundra Bush – Daily patrol being undertaken with additional patrols as weather dictates.
REGION SOUTH
Fire Name:
Bega Valley S44 - 2 separate fires in the Wodbilliga Nature reserve.
Fire Status:
Being Controlled
Fire Size:
3845Ha
Resources:
5 x Medium helicopters
4 x Light helicopters
2 x Fixed wing bombers
1 x 20.000 Ltr Jet A1 Skid Tank
1 x Air Operations Manager
1 x Aircraft Officer
1 x Air Attack Supervisor
Airbase Location(s)
Fixed wing bombers are operating out of Cooma airbase. Helicopters are operating out of
Warrigal helibase.
Fire Activity Summary:
Recent weather conditions have resulted in little increase in fire area
RAFT crews are continuing direct attack and mop up operations supported by helicopter water bombing.
REGION NORTH
Fire Name:
Thorntons Bluff Class 2.
Fire Status:
Going
Fire Size:
120 Ha
Resoucres:
3 x Light helicopters
3 x Fixed wing bombers.
1 x Air Attack Supervisor
Airbase Location(s)
Nundle and Tamworth airport.
Fire Activity Summary:
Crews have held fire to the SE. Fire along Big Rossa Mountain still burning to the W and fire to the NE still burning out of containment lines.
REGION NORTH
Fire Name:
Scrubby Creek Road Class 2.
Fire Status:
Going
Fire Size:
150 Ha
Resoucres:
1 x Light helicopters
Helibase Location(s)
Hastings FCC.
Fire Activity Summary:
Fire started at 12.22 today with backburning to occur along containment lines, weather permitting
STANDBY AIRCRAFT FOR 21 JAN 2007
The following aircraft have been placed on standby:
Sydney – 1 x Heavy helicopter
2 x Medium helicopters
2 x Light helicopters
2 x Jet A1 tankers
Central Coast - 1 x Medium helicopter
Orange - 2 x Fixed wing bombers
Cowra - 1 x Fixed wing bomber
Wagga Wagga - 1 x Fixed wing bomber
Additionally the Crane's swapped over this morning with the Sydney machine
returning to cover Sydney tomorrow.
Getting sufficient ground crew is becoming a problem. Tomorrow is looking hairy with wind and high temps.
The eye.