- Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet activated early to protect grain growers from fires
- Two strike teams to be based in Mid West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions
- Teams start in Geraldton and Narrogin today
A specialised aerial firefighting fleet has been activated early to protect Western Australia's multibillion-dollar grain crops during the most fire-prone period of harvest.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said two aerial strike teams will be strategically based in the main grain growing regions of WA - one in Geraldton and the other in Narrogin - on standby for a quick response to fast-moving crop fires. Crop fires usually start by either machinery or lightning.
The aerial fleet is managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and each strike team comprises two fixed wing waterbombers, an air attack supervision aircraft and a fuel truck.
The aircraft can cruise at a speed of 280kmh, drop up to 3,150 litres of water, foam or retardant and require just minutes to refuel and reload.
As fire danger ratings begin to escalate, the strike teams will start in Geraldton and Narrogin today to help safeguard crops in the regions.
Strike teams can be pre-deployed to other airbases as required in response to the latest intelligence reports.
Waterbombers will move south as the harvest stretches into December, protecting busy farming communities near Esperance.
Now entering its fourth year, the Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet program aims to quickly suppress crop fires before they destroy a farmer's livelihood and threaten nearby properties.
During the 2023-24 harvest, strike teams completed 216 drops across 33 incidents, dropping 680,400 litres on firegrounds from Geraldton to Esperance.
The program is funded by DFES with support from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Grain is one of our State's most valuable export commodities and by all reports the grain growers are in for a bumper year.
"But the onset of grain harvest increases the risk of fires, so we're getting ahead of the game by activating specialised aerial strike teams that can be deployed to high-priority incidents at short notice.
"It's about taking the pressure off our farmers, who are usually first responders themselves, by providing extra resourcing when it is needed most.
"The waterbombers can reach an incident very quickly and reload and go again within minutes to help suppress a fire that is a threat to the community."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"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.
"We know crops provide fuel for fire and in unfavourable conditions, lightning or a machinery spark can set off a crop fire.
"This initiative reduces response times and increases firefighting capability, helping to protect the lives and livelihoods of WA's hard working farmers and their communities."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"I am thrilled to see the activation of the specialised aerial firefighting fleet here in Geraldton.
"This measure is crucial in protecting our grain crops and our farmers as the weather starts heating up.
"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.
"As we anticipate a bumper crop this year, the readiness of our aerial firefighting teams is more critical than ever."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"The Grain Harvest Aerial Fleet program is a proactive strategy to protect lives and homes as WA's farming communities work hard to get their crops off.
"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.
"In previous years the strike teams have been very successful in bringing crop fires under control before they destroy a farmer's livelihood, which is why we've activated the fleet for a fourth consecutive season.
"DFES will closely monitor fire conditions across the Mid West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions during the harvest period and can redirect the aircraft based on risk assessments."
