Drones need to stay well clear of bushfires this summer, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says.
Any crewed aircraft not involved in aerial firefighting must remain at least 5 nautical miles (9.26 kilometres) from fire boundaries and ideally much further.
Drones must never be flown near bushfires under any circumstances, the agency says.
CASA chief executive officer Pip Spence says pilots and drone operators need to follow the rules.
“If you’re in the air, firefighting aircraft can’t do their job,” she says.
“By steering clear of bushfires, we can let aerial firefighters get on with the job of containing the fire and keeping communities safe.”
Spence says drones need to remain on the ground during bushfires.
“Drones are small and hard to see and pose a risk to aircraft and helicopters,” she points out.
“Always remember to check the rules before you fly, and tune into your local fire authority for the latest updates on active bushfires in your area.”
LARGE AIR TANKER USED NEAR TOOWOOMBA
Meanwhile, Queensland Fire sent the Large Air Tanker to a vegetation fire at Gilla in the Toowoomba region on Wednesday.
Eight hundred hectares were burnt by this fire since September 26, according to Queensland Fire.
Some waterbombing aircraft supported ground crews while a helicopter mapped the fire.
Since the start of October, more than 60,000 hectares have been burnt statewide, the department says.
In recent months, prolonged wet weather across the country has fuelled rapid vegetation growth, creating ideal conditions for bushfires.
When fires ignite, they can spread quickly and disrupt flight paths that pilots would normally use, CASA says.
Aerial firefighting operations rely on this airspace. These aircraft often fly at low altitudes and may change direction suddenly, posing risks to other airspace users nearby.
Pilots must heed the warnings of local fire and police authorities about any active bushfires along their intended flight path.
Hundreds of aircraft are approved for aerial firefighting with, on average, a total of 30,000 hours flown each year in Australia.
CASA requires approved air operators of firefighting aircraft to identify and manage safety risks such as pilot fatigue; safety checks and audits of these operators are carried out by CASA.
The agency can also allow foreign pilots to be used in Australian firefighting operations; US-based Coulson Aviation regularly supplies aircraft and pilots for Australian aerial firefighting operations.
OTHER BUSHFIRE NEWS: $80m for 80 new trucks for Queensland Fire
