A Blackhawk fire tanker drops a load in 2024. Five new aircraft have joined the SA fleet. Photo: SA CFS.
South Australia’s aerial firefighting fleet has nearly doubled its drops this bushfire season compared to last season, the state government says.
And the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban has been extended by two weeks to May 14, the first extension since 2019.
The government says there have been 3000 drops by aircraft and helicopters this season (as of April 17) compared to nearly 1600 drops in the 2023-24 season.
Flying hours stood at 1920 hours this season in contrast to 1399 hours last year.
The government says there were more than 1300 individual aircraft dispatches to over 200 bushfires this season including the Wilmington blaze in the Flinders Ranges in February and multiple blazes sparked by lightning strikes across the south-east last month.
SA Emergency Services Minister Emily Bourke says that “after the driest summer we’ve seen in years, conditions remain a concern for frontline personnel particularly in the Mount Lofty Ranges”.
Country Fire Service acting Deputy Chief Officer Brenton Hastie says fuel loads vary across the Mount Lofty Ranges.
“High forest and scrub fuels in parts, somewhat low fuels in others, exceptionally dry conditions and (a) lack of forecast rain in the near future poses a risk of fire,” he says.
“The community needs to be aware that the risk of fire won’t abate until there is significant rainfall.”
Last bushfire season, the state government spent $26.7 million to add five new aircraft to its current 30-plus fleet already in place.
RESTRICTIONS REMINDER
South Australians are reminded that restrictions around campfires and barbecues apply with a bushfire danger season still active for much of the state.
Local restrictions may apply in national parks and forestry reserves and no campfires are allowed on a total fire ban day without a permit.
A gas or electric barbecue is permitted during fire danger season so long as it is four metres away from flammable vegetation, a responsible person is controlling the fire, and an extinguisher is close by, the government says.
Such barbecues are allowed on a total fire ban day but only if it is within 15 metres of a domestic or commercial premises or on the coast.
