Fires in NSW & Victoria
 

Does anyone have any info on the NSW fire scene as to tasking etc.
Hey Catseye you seem to be able to supply good data. Are you out there?
Fly safe guys & girls

fires update
 

Sorry am away working. Will try tomorrow evening.

The Eye:ok:

Catseye
 

No worries thanks for the reply :ok:

NSW Fires aircraft
 

this what you wanted.............:=

The following aircraft have been deployed.

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B2
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 224
Task: ReCon Registration: AGL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 212
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 273
Task: Bomb Registration: C-GSGT
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS350B3
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 251
Task: Bomb Registration: IPW
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 26/01/2009 8:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 214B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 404
Task: Bomb Registration: N214JL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITAK 271
Task: Bomb Registration: HUE
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 282
Task: Bomb Registration: RSL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 22/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 206B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 290
Task: ReCon Registration: RMJ
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 10:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350FX2
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 244
Task: Bomb/AA Registration: JVC
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 22/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BEECH SUPER KING AIR B200T
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIRESCAN
Task: Linescan Registration: LAB
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 26/01/2009 1:30:00 PM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 204TH-IF
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 498
Task: Bomb Registration: LIQ
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 30/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 204UH-1B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 276
Task: Bomb Registration: UHF
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 226
Task: Bomb Registration: FHF
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 29/01/2009 3:00:00 PM

Region South Standby
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 277
Task: Bomb Registration: XAW
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Region South Standby
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-502B
Location: GRIFFITH Airport Callsign: BOMBER 240
Task: Bomb Registration: HGV
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

STANDBY
District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: SCONE AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 220
Task: STANDBY Registration: PCD
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 30/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

REGION SOUTH STANDBY
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: BELL 206B-3
Location: WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT Callsign: FIREBIRD 240
Task: STANDBY Registration: SLT
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed:

Region West Standby
District: REGION WEST - COBAR Aircraft Type: DROMADER TURBINE
Location: ORANGE AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 731
Task: Bomb Registration: PMR
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Standby Deniliquin
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: DENILIQUIN AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 251
Task: Standby Registration: FFM
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 22/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 223
Task: Bomb Registration: CVF
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 12:30:00 PM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 272
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LUE
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock Fire
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 206
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: FIREBIRD 208
Task: AA Registration: ALM
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Jingera
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B2 SUPER D2
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: PARKAIR 3
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: ZHM
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 24/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B3
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: PARKAIR 1
Task: Bomb Registration: NPS
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 22/01/2009 8:30:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 255
Task: Bomb Registration: XAU
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 12:30:00 PM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117B-2
Location: EUROBODALLA Callsign: HELITACK 256
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LXC
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 205
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: ONZ
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 205UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 346
Task: Bomb Registration: UHH
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

Jingera Road
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117 (CONTRACT)
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 225
Task: Bomb Registration: FHB
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 25/01/2009 12:00:00 PM

Jingera Rock Fire
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350 SUPER D2
Location: Bombala Callsign: FIREBIRD 314
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LEV
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 28/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802-67
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 719
Task: Bomb Registration: SDJ
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 30/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: EUROBODALLA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: Merimbula Airport Callsign: BOMBER 221
Task: Bomb Registration: LIR
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 30/01/2009 7:00:00 AM

catseye,

No H338 :sad:

Are you missing me yet ;)

Fire helo's
 

John,

I only copy them don't write them!.

Thought you had given up fires in BK's and retired to bigger Bell's. Looks like NRE ( NSCA rebadged ) may have their hands full in Gippsland until someone nails that arsonist.

Lachie's got another gig. The south coast publicans will be pleased........

The Eye. :=

We made the mistake of visiting Lachie a few months ago with an overnight stop :hmm:

Keep safe on those fires :ok:

Catseye
 

Sorry Catseye I also have been away working but thanks for the info
Do you have any updates on that lot?:ok:
205jack

Fires seem to have revved up some but especially in Victoria with 14 deaths confirmed and more expected. Ground crews ordered out of some zones, aireal work only.
any news from down there? time for a steady and careful, perhaps a helpful hand for the chopper crews.

what a country , the southerners are desparately fighting fires and we're struggling throught mud.
In Queensland alone (62%) which is more than the size of the state of South Australia is a flood disaster zone and more torrential rains happening now, without the monsoons in the Northern territory the northern half of which is flood bound.
take care guys.

Aircraft that are currently deployed/standby in Victoria (10.15 AM 8th FEB)

BIRDDOG 366 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
BOMBER 351 STAWELL AERO DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 352 HAMILTON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 353 HAMILTON AIR AVAILABLE 15
BOMBER 354 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
BOMBER 355 BAIRNSDALE A DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
BOMBER 356 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
BOMBER 357 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
BOMBER 358 LEONGATHA AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
BOMBER 359 BENAMBRA AIR DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
BOMBER 360 STAWELL AERO DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 361 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
BOMBER 365 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
FIREBIRD 301 HORSHAM DSE AVAILABLE 15
FIREBIRD 302 MOORABBIN AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
FIREBIRD 303 DSE Ovens De DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
FIREBIRD 304 BAIRNSDALE H DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
FIREBIRD 305 DSE Ovens De DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
FIREBIRD 306 MOORABBIN AI AVAILABLE 15
FIREBIRD 307 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 309 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
FIREBIRD 311 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
FIRESCAN 300 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE SCANNING VARIOUS INCIDENTS
FIRESCAN 350 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 120 Configured for linescan
HELITACK 331 MOORABBIN AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGS
HELITACK 332 BENALLA AIRF UNSERVICEABLE CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
HELITACK 333 HEYFIELD HEL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
HELITACK 334 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
HELITACK 335 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 341 MOORABBIN AI AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 342 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP
HELITACK 345 OLINDA DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP
HELITACK 347 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 348 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 315 MAINDAMPLE DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 316 COLAC DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 318 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
HELITACK 344 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
HELITACK 346 ALBURY AIRPO UNSERVICEABLE
HELITACK 401 MANGALORE AI DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE – SAUNDERS RD
HELITACK 747 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD

You guys must have been working like drovers dogs all day, and we seen you on the telly, but if anyone has a couple of photos of what was going on I know they'd be appreciated.

It looked dreadful.

Australia Fire pics....
 

For the last few days we have been re-tasked as Air Ambulance rather than Neonatal.
Yesterday we flew to the town of Marysville to provide medical assistance.
The people that had survived were gathered together at the football oval, the only un-burnt area in the town. Most we treated had eye irritation or smoke inhalation. It seemed that a lot had either escaped with minor injuries, or died. There are bodies in many of the houses.
I talked to a fire-fighter who had a mate working alongside him all night, who then returned home to find his family dead. I heard similar stories throughout the day.
We later flew to Alexandra where most had been evacuated to. The local sports hall and school were being used as temporary shelter. Most only had the clothes they were wearing. They had lost everything.

The following are photos of Marysville.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/Fire-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-2.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-3.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-4.jpg

Later in Alexandra after flying from Marysville.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-5.jpg

ABC News - Top Stories - Breaking news from Australia and the world

This link will take you to the latest.
Front page for the last week featuring fires/ floods. 108 now confirmed and just adding up the various reports put the house tally at well more than the 700 reported.

Dedicated heli for each population center?
 

I was 3k from the Bendigo blaze which started about 5pm and didn't see or hear any aerial activity in the first hour.

Was Bendigo without locally based cover on Saturday?

I appreciate that it is hard to keep a heli on the ground in Bendigo on standby with Redesdale going up.

On extreme weather days where fire will outrun ground crews, should larger rural towns with high density housing always have a local heli available?

On the other hand many lives lost in small communities.
A conundrum.
A truly hellish day even before the fires started. (Car dash thermometer registered 50C)

Mickjoebill

Thanks for the pics
 

Big mike,
looking at the remarkable pics there seems to be little tree damage adjacent the burnt out houses, so is it likely that most of the homes succumbed to ember attack rather than radiant heat?

Many plots have blackened patches where there was once grass a possible source of direct flame contact?



Mickjoebill

MJB I believe the Bendigo crews were working on Redesdale until called back.

I tried to get some shots at Endeavour Hills (Churchill Golf Club) the other week of Firebird 306 bucketing, but the sun was in the wrong place and the shots were washed out.

Good shots BigMike.
Thanks for posting, I guess others are between sleeping/flying.
Just too busy!

Do you guys know of anyone over there who may need a hand? I know the area and am legal over there at the moment. Things look pretty grim from this side of the Tasman. Just thought I'd offer. You never know...

MJB, sorry I couldn't tell you. The fires have burnt very intensely in some areas (see photo below)
I have a couple of days break then back to it. We may have a B3 Squirrel and belly tank back soon, so may be flying that instead of the BK.

Right now everyone is just doing the best they can. The effort from all those involved is just amazing. Many carrying on even after a personal tragedy.

Sadly the commercial media are not exactly covering themselves in glory with some of their coverage.

For those from overseas, State run ABC have coverage here: Bushfire Emergency - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Hills surrounding Marysville
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-6.jpg


Farm near Buxton
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...tos/fire-7.jpg


At Kinglake (where there were the most fatalities) just before last light to pickup burn victim. Main street in the background.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...os/fire-10.jpg

I had heard of some of the operators looking for Medium Pilots to break their full time guys approaching F&D time limits.