September 10, 2017
Fire authorities are warning that rising temperatures and very dry conditions in Queensland have created the likelihood of an “above normal” bushfire season.
The fire danger across much of the State is already rated as “moderate to high risk”.
During the past six weeks, rural and urban fire units has had to deal with call-outs to more than 1700 bushfires across Queensland, and the Rural Fire Service expects “significant fires” in the weeks to come.
The State Government has brought in extra specialist bushfire fighting aircraft to cover the south-east of the State.
Two large Helitak (Bell 214B) water bombing helicopters and a Twin Squirrel observation and attack supervision helicopter are now based at Archerfield Airport ready for a rapid responses to bushfires within a 100 kilometre radius.
The three aircraft have been contracted by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services until December 17.
The Bell 214B can draught 2650 litres of water into a belly tank from any accessible water source.
