Re: ASEAN Ministers to meet regarding haze issue -- AUGUST 20
The Evoloution of Waterbombing
"Bird Dog" Aircraft
Often overlooked in forest firefighting operations are the "Bird Dog" aircraft. They are called that because they act as the spotter, and lead waterbombers safely into the bombing pattern.
No specific make or model of plane exists that could be called the definitive Bird Dog aircraft; a large variety are flown by spotters around the world. What all have in common is the task. On a fire call, the Bird Dog is airborne within minutes and sets up contact with the ground-based fire boss and determines the fire location, size and nature. Once the site has been assessed by the spotter, he radios back the information to the fire boss who directs the entire land and air firefighting operation. While enroute to the fire, the waterbomber or tanker receives instructions from the Bird Dog as to circuit altitude, drop height, and exit plan. The Bird Dog leads each loaded waterbomber directly over the fire site for its drop and may continue for as many drops as it takes to quench the flames.
Often pilots rotate between the waterbomber and Bird Dog aircraft so that they are proficient with both. It is most beneficial for the Bird Dog pilot to be familiar with the waterbomber requirements particularly in the waterbombing role.
Water-bombing chopper to aid fire fight
A water-bombing helicopter will boost firefighting efforts in Victoria's far south-west during summer.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) operations manager for Region Four, Peter Novotny, says grass in the area is drying out and fires in timber plantations are also a concern.
About 4,500 hectares of bushland was burnt when fires were sparked by lightning near Casterton and Dartmoor last week.
Mr Novotny says the water-bombing helicopter will be stationed at the Hamilton airport.
"For this season we'll have a medium-sized rotary aircraft that's able to do firebombing operations, to pick up water at a farm dam or some sort of other water supply and deliver that to the fire perhaps many times over in a short space of time," he said.
Meanwhile, the CFA says its firefighting operations have not been affected by disruptions to phones and internet in south-west Victoria.
Most landline and mobile phone services in the region have been restored, after a fire destroyed cables at the Telstra exchange in Warrnambool two weeks ago.
Mr Novotny says plans were already in place to deal with last week's fires.
"We've had to revert to alternative arrangements, use of the Optus network, use of 4G modem cards, use of satellite phones and of course the radio network," he said.
"We're unaffected in the dispatch arrangements, our pager network that CFA operates continues to work throughout this incident but it's definitely been a hiccup."