The new-look aerial strike teams protecting Mid West and Wheatbelt communities from crop fires during harvest

Farming communities in the Mid West are receiving protection from above this harvest, with water-bombing aircraft providing a rapid response to crop fires. After a successful pilot program in 2021, two aerial strike teams are once again based in agricultural areas for the hottest and most fire-prone stretch of the State’s grain harvest, boosting response times across WA’s 9 million-hectare grain growing region. The first strike team started in Geraldton on October 19, dropping more than 88,000 litres of water and suppressant on four large fires at Eganu, Howatharra, Allanooka and Beekeepers Nature Reserve. Each strike team comprises a five-person crew, two fixed-wing water-bombers, an air attack supervision aircraft, and a fuel truck that can be deployed to assist ground crews. The aircraft can cruise at a speed of 280km/h, can drop up to 3150 litres each, and need just minutes to refuel and reload. Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said crop fires were often sparked by machinery or lightning and, when combined with dangerous weather conditions, could escalate quickly. “Crops provide an easy source of fuel for fires to take hold, and this strategy is about supporting firefighters on the ground in the initial stages of fires,” he said. “This strategy proved extremely successful last year, dropping more than 390,000 litres of water and retardant to suppress flames and prevent fires from spreading, providing crucial support for farmers and firefighters on the ground.”