With harvest beginning in Western Australia and fire risk heightened, an aerial firefighting fleet aims to suppress crop fires
A dedicated aerial firefighting fleet has been deployed to key agricultural regions in Western Australia to quickly respond to and suppress crop fires, helping protect the state’s multibillion-dollar grain crops.
Since the start of November, two strike teams have been stationed in Narrogin and Esperance, with each strike team including two fixed wing waterbombers and a supervision aircraft, strategically positioned across the Wheatbelt.
During the 2024-25 harvest, the Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet attended 18 fires – four in Geraldton, 12 in Narrogin and two in Esperance.
The aircraft can cruise at a speed of 280 kilometres per hour, drop up to 3,150 litres of water, foam or retardant, and require just minutes to refuel and reload.
“As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, crop fires can ignite and spread with alarming speed,” WA fire and emergency services commissioner Darren Klemm says.
“By strategically positioning waterbombing aircraft across key agricultural regions, we’re ensuring a rapid and effective firefighting response when it matters most.
“These aircraft can be on the scene within minutes, quickly reload, and return to the air to help contain fires before they escalate and threaten communities.”