Aerial firefighting fleet deployed early for crop protection

The Government of Western Australia has activated its Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet early in response to the heightened fire risk during the state’s peak grain harvesting season.

The fleet, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), includes two aerial strike teams strategically located in the primary grain-growing areas of Geraldton and Narrogin, positioned to rapidly respond to crop fires sparked by lightning or machinery.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson explained the initiative, stating: “Grain is one of our State’s most valuable export commodities and by all reports the grain growers are in for a bumper year.”

Dawson highlighted the importance of early activation of the strike teams, adding that it “takes the pressure off our farmers, who are usually first responders themselves, by providing extra resourcing when it is needed most.”

Fleet configuration and capabilities

Each strike team in the fleet comprises two fixed-wing waterbombers, an air attack supervision aircraft, and a fuel truck.

The waterbombers, capable of flying at 280 km/h, can deliver up to 3,150 litres of water, foam, or fire retardant with minimal downtime for refueling and reloading.

This rapid response setup aims to contain fires swiftly, reducing the potential for widespread crop damage.

As reported by the Government of Western Australia, these aircraft will initially be stationed in Geraldton and Narrogin but are set to relocate south as the season progresses.

Strike teams are also prepared to pre-deploy to other regional airbases as necessary, based on real-time fire intelligence and weather conditions.

Seasonal preparedness and historical effectiveness

The Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet program, now in its fourth year, is funded by DFES with additional support from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The program has demonstrated its effectiveness, as during the 2023-24 harvest, the fleet completed 216 water drops across 33 incidents, dispersing 680,400 litres of water and retardant across firegrounds from Geraldton to Esperance.

Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis emphasised the strategic placement of resources: “By activating the Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet early, and strategically basing these aircraft in our main growing regions, we’re ensuring our farming communities are best prepared for this high-risk time.”

Local and regional support for the initiative

Local representatives, including Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, have expressed strong support for the fleet’s activation, particularly as grain growers anticipate a productive season.

Dalton noted: “The Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet program has proven its worth over the past three years, and the statistics from the last harvest season speak volumes about its effectiveness.”

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM reiterated the importance of the program in addressing crop fires in high-risk areas, stating: “Crop fires can spread incredibly quickly in these high fuel load areas as the weather heats up and the surrounding vegetation dries out, so we’ve based waterbombing aircraft in strategic locations to provide a rapid firefighting response.”

Western Australia deploys aerial firefighting fleet to protect grain harvest during fire-prone season: Summary

The Government of Western Australia has preemptively deployed its specialised aerial firefighting fleet to safeguard grain crops during the high-risk harvest season.

The Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet, managed by DFES, includes strategically placed strike teams in Geraldton and Narrogin, each equipped with two fixed-wing waterbombers and an air attack supervision aircraft.

Capable of delivering up to 3,150 litres per drop, the aircraft aim to prevent crop damage from fires ignited by lightning or machinery.

Now in its fourth operational year, the fleet’s early activation is intended to address the increased fire risk linked to the grain harvest season.

Funded by DFES and supported by state agriculture and conservation departments, the program continues to aid Western Australia’s farming communities by providing rapid response resources as the season progresses southward into more fire-prone areas.