A Canadian large air tanker (LAT) has joined the Queensland Fire Service for the upcoming bushfire season.
The Conair aircraft arrived at Bundaberg Airport on Monday (August 31) and joins a fleet of 14 aircraft.
Qld Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy says the LAT is a proven, and valuable, performer in the state’s bushfire response.
“Queenslanders can have confidence that our firefighters have the aircraft, equipment and resources they need to respond when bushfires threaten communities,” she says.
“The LAT is a critical part of Queensland’s bushfire response and the government has secured this firefighting resource for another bushfire season.”
CANADIAN ARRIVAL BOOSTS PREPARATIONS
MP for Burnett Stephen Bennett says the LAT’s return to Bundaberg is a boost for preparations.
“People across the Burnett know how quickly conditions can change, and being prepared before a fire starts is critical to keeping families, homes and communities safe,” he says.
QFD Commissioner Steve Smith says the aviation capability is a critical part of the state’s fire preparation.
“During the 2025-26 bushfire period, QFD’s contracted aircraft completed 860 fire-related dispatches and clocked up more than 3000 flying hours,” he says.
“We have already seen some bushfire activity across the state. Spring is expected to be a challenging time for our firefighters, especially in the southern interior where it remains drier than average.
“Residents should ensure their properties are prepared and that they have a bushfire survival plan in place to ensure a household knows what to do, should a bushfire break out,” Smith says
ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT: The De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400AT is one of 27 in the Canadian company Conair’s aerial firefighting fleet. It can carry 10,000 litres with a cruise speed of 360 knots (666 km/h), a drop speed of 125 knots (231km/h) and a flight duration of 3.5 hours. Source: Conair Group
