Aerial fire-bombers missing
TWO of the biggest assets of Victoria’s airborne firefighting fleet were not available during the danger season’s largest fire so far.
It can be revealed the state is still awaiting the arrival of two massive firefighting aircraft a month into the heart of the bushfire season, with equipment faults on existing planes also disrupting efforts to contain a blaze on the South Australian border that destroyed 7000ha.
Two large waterbombers ordered for the summer, a CH-47 Chinook and an Air Crane, are still on their way to Victoria more than a month after they were spruiked in a government press release.
One insider said it was concerning that neither of the massive signature aircraft were at Essendon and Moorabin airports by now.
“Usually you would be able to see the massive things sitting on the tarmac at this time of year ready to go,” they said.
The department maintains the Chinook and Air Crane will be available in time for Victoria’s “highest risk” period.
But over the past three years, the easily recognisable orange Air Crane – dubbed Elvis – has been in Victoria by December.
They were photographed at Avalon in late 2018, were used heavily during the 2019 black summer bushfires which ran over new year and were again in use at the end of 2020.
Last month, the government touted the arrival of the two new big machines as major weapons in its summer arsenal.
“There are several new additions to the fleet this summer, including a CH-47 Chinook with a capacity of 11,000 litres, and a larger capacity Air Crane capable of holding 9000 litres,” a press release said. “The night fire aviation program will continue this summer with the Chinook, our highest capacity helicopter, with a continued focus on initial attack and keeping small fires small.
“The Chinook can operate through the hottest part of the day and can continue into the night, to give firefighters the best chance to put fires out.”
It comes after firefighters spent the new year controlling a large blaze that crept over the Victorian border from the west.
In another bungle, line scanners, which are used to monitor the movement of bushfires, were out of action with mechanical issues on New Year’s Eve as the fire moved on the border.
A scan was completed later in the morning once the sun had risen.
“Victorians are well protected this season with firefighting aircraft and thousands of firefighters ready to respond to emergencies across the state,” an Emergency Management Victoria spokeswoman said.