Water bombers deployed for Esperance harvest

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

• ​Two fixed-wing water bombers deployed to Esperance
• Each has the capacity to drop 3,150 litres of suppressant at a time

Water bombers have been deployed to help protect the Esperance community and crops during harvest, under a Liberal National Government bushfire safety initiative.

The deployment by the departments of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and Parks and Wildlife is aimed at helping the Esperance community with its bushfire preparedness during a high-risk period.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said two fixed-wing water bombers, each able to drop 3,150 litres of suppressant at a time, arrived in the town yesterday.

"The aircraft will be stationed there for five weeks to provide extra coverage while farmers are harvesting," he said.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the aerial fleet was vital in supporting firefighting efforts on the ground.

"The aerial firefighting fleet plays an important role in reducing the rate of spread in the early stages of a bushfire," Mr Jacob said.

"The fleet also provides crucial fire mapping information to the Incident Controller on the ground, which helps with decision-making about how to best combat the fire."

Mr Francis stressed that the aerial fleet could not combat fires alone, and a team effort was needed when preparing for, and responding to, bushfires.

"Everyone must understand they cannot rely on water bombing aircraft saving their property this summer - we must all take responsibility and ensure we are bushfire ready."

Fact File

• The joint DFES and Parks and Wildlife managed aerial fleet includes one Erickson Aircrane, six Bell 214B Helitacs, eight fixed-wing water bomber aircraft, six Air Attack Supervisor aircraft and one aerial intelligence helicopter
• For more information about preparing for bushfires, visit http://www.emergency.wa.gov.au