Will we just let it birn?
The existing system of ag planes and big helicopters is obviously good and if they get to the fire early enough can often contain a fire. But it's only part of the solution.
Colin Pay was working on a water pickup system for fixed wing aircraft. Surely this would work if the drag from the pickup system was behind the C of G. Maybe a retractable stinger in the tail to pick up water. And with a weak link so that it breaks off if the drag force is too great. Will we let this research die with Colin?
Some time ago we had a Canadian DC6 fire fighter based in Adelaide with a very short response time (15 mins?) I believe large aeroplanes are often necessary and could make a big difference, but they would have to be integrated into the existing system. We need a fleet of big aircraft to assist the existing aerial and ground firefighters. Todays bushfires are not an isolated event.They happen somewhere nearly every year.
But it appears that it's all too hard and too expensive for our authorities. Is fire damage less expensive?
What does it cost insurance companies? Maybe we will have to wait until Canberra gets burnt again.
You don't win a medal of freedom by dealing with bushfires.