Aerial fleet active as Australian summer kicks in

NSW RFS Chinook working on the Garlings Trl Fire in Elong Elong. Photo: NSW RFS.

The death of two firefighters and the loss of around 40 homes have marked the effective start of the bushfire season across southern Australia and the active engagement of the national aerial firefighting fleet.

Milder conditions today have provided both New South Wales and Tasmania with some respite from extreme fire activity and the opportunity to strengthen containment lines before the heat returns.

Western Australia has had an early hectic start to the season with numerous warnings for fire, storm and heatwave across the vast state. The arrival of a C-130 this week to bolster its 38 aerial firefighting fleet has been welcomed.

The National Aerial Firefighting Centre has 161 aircraft filling 175 services across the country this summer.

Six LATs and 17 Large helicopters are on NAFC contracts this season. Their homebases are in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. While they are located and managed by the home jurisdictions, the NAFC contracts allow them to be shared across borders. 

C-130 Hercules, part of the national aerial firefighting fleet 2025. Photo: NEMA

Australian Government funds of $100 million over 2024-25 support the NAFC fleet. Additionally, the grant funds the minimum costs of five national aircraft that are dispatched under the protocols facilitated by the National Resource Sharing Centre. This collaboration allows the Chiefs and Commissioners nationally to decide where these national aircraft can be placed so that they can be mobilised easily to the jurisdiction that has the greatest need. These five aircraft are on contract and in position now.

  • One National LAT is based in New South Wales, along with its Cessna Birddog aircraft
  • One National S61 multi use RW, also based in NSW
  • Two National Blackhawks are based in Qld and South Australia

Eight aircraft in the fleet have complementary contracts with North American agencies and follow the fire season to Australia every summer. Their Australian start dates are staggered across the country and all aircraft are in position in time for their contracted starts.

Further information about the NAFC fleet and its contracted operators can be found on the NAFC website Fleet.

The death in late November of a National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia brigade strike team member working as a firefighter with the Country Fire Service while undertaking remote firefighting on the Eyre Peninsula and the death on the weekend of a New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter, plus the loss of more than 40 homes in both New South Wales and Tasmania have woken many to the start of the bushfire season across southern Australia. A farmer also died protecting his property in a fire in the south-west of Western Australia in early December.

The NSW NPWS acknowledged the loss in a public statement share on social media:

“It is with immense sadness that we confirm the death of a National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter while working at a fireground south of Bulahdelah on Sunday night.

Our thoughts are with the firefighter’s family, friends and colleagues, including those from NPWS and NSW Rural Fire Service who were working alongside him.”

In the past week, fires at Koolewong and Bulahdelah in New South Wales destroyed 20 homes and a natural disaster has been declared in several local government areas, while wind-driven fires at Dolphin Sands along the picturesque east coast of Tasmania razed 19 houses and damaged dozens more.

While in November the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed a La Nina to welcome in the summer, it came with the qualification that the wet and cool weather may be brief. The heat well and truly arrived in December and, coupled with the fuel growth and long-term rainfall deficiencies in many regions, the bushfire summer began with several days of heat and wind.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanse has warned Australians of a “difficult” season ahead, with New South Wales in particular danger. He told ABC television:  

 “This summer, of course, like all summers that would appear in recent times, is going to be a difficult one. But New South Wales in particular has a range of preconditions, if you like, for being quite a difficult one.”

Fire risk outlook released for summer in Australia

Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for summer 2025

In a week that has delivered wild thunderstorms along the northern coastlines of eastern Australia, a cyclone across the Top End, and the first Catastrophic fire warning for the southern Australia bushfire season, the latest bushfire outlook for Australia brings a mixed bag of fire and weather warnings.

The AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2025 released today identifies an increased risk of fire for south-west Victoria, western and southern Western Australia and parts of central northern New South Wales.

It comes despite the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) declaring a La Niña event officially active in the Pacific for the first time since 2023, which often brings wetter conditions across much of Australia.

But the BoM is predicting this La Niña to be relatively weak, and maybe short-lived, allowing plenty of summer to be primed for fire. The Indian Ocean Dipole is negative but expected to return to neutral in December.

Long term rainfall deficiencies persist over the high-risk areas, combined with abundant surface fuels, raising the fire risk for the hotter months.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that for much of Australia, the forecast for December to February rainfall is weak, meaning there is roughly an equal chance of above or below average rainfall. Chances of above average rainfall have generally decreased, with a dry signal now more pronounced for December.

The sea surface temperatures around much of the Australian coastline are above average, providing more moisture and energy for severe storms and weather systems. December to February is likely to experience above average daytime temperatures for most of Australia, with overnight temperatures expected to be warmer almost nationwide.

Things have heated up quickly in New South Wales this past week with dangerous fire conditions across central and northern parts of the state where grasslands have the potential to support intense, fast-moving fires. Dozens of schools closed on Wednesday as hot, dry weather brought on a catastrophic fire danger rating.

Chinook displays night-time skills for RFS

NSW RFS Chinook CH-47D. Photo: NSWRFS.

Australian firefighting moved a step closer to round the clock aerial operations with the NSW Rural Fire Service owned CH-47D Chinook helicopter successfully completing its first night-time waterbombing operations.

The aircraft was deployed last week to the Genowlan Road Fire at Glen Alice, burning north-west of Sydney, which burnt more than 230 hectares before being brought under control.

Over two days, the waterbombing helicopter delivered more than 529,000 litres of water including 194,800 litres across 27 drops during its night operations.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said the milestone of the first operational nighttime deployment represents a significant advancement in the RFS’s aerial firefighting capability.

“Nighttime waterbombing operations allow us to take advantage of calmer, more favourable conditions when fire behaviour is typically at its lowest,” Commissioner Curtin said.

“Overnight weather patterns often see fire activity ease considerably, giving firefighters a critical window to strengthen containment lines and reduce the intensity of a fire before it potentially escalates again during the day.

“Carrying more than 10,000 litres of water or retardant, and with the ability to operate safely and effectively at night, the Chinook means we can better support ground crews, protect communities and make the most of every opportunity to suppress a fire.”

Night-time operations have been trialed and used sparingly operationally in several Australian states in recent years, mostly for data gathering but increasingly for suppression efforts.

The CH-47D Chinook is one of 13 RFS owned aircraft in New South Wales, supported by more than 200 aircraft through call-when-needed and contract arrangements.

Footage of the operation can be found here.

Study aims to close the knowledge gap on smoke

Engine crew provides initial attack on the 2019 Vista Fire. Photo: NIFC

Researchers have identified a knowledge gap between what scientists have discovered about wildfire smoke and the practical information available to frontline crews.

The study provides an overview of both published science and organisational reports and standards for minimizing exposure and mitigating health risks for firefighters. The review was conducted by Australian and US researchers with results relevant to all firefighters in hot and smoky environments.

Bushfire smoke is a complex mixture of hazardous substances. Inhalation poses acute and chronic health risks to firefighters, including respiratory and cardiovascular effects and potential risk for certain cancers.

But any health-risk analysis is made complex by the great variation in exposure levels that are influenced by vegetation type, fire behaviour and weather, and the varied behaviours and activities of individuals. Hence the need identified by the paper to distil the current science into practical guidelines for firefighters.

The review emphasizes the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), improved decontamination protocols, the need for real-time exposure monitoring and adequate exposure reduction policies.

The key takeaway is that firefighters face a “total exposure” risk, and the danger doesn’t stop when they are no longer breathing in smoke, explains lead author Dr Maximilien Desservettaz, a Research Fellow from the University of Wollongong.

 “A critical finding we highlight is that the skin is a major and under-appreciated pathway for toxic, carcinogenic chemicals to enter the body. The intense heat and heavy sweating from firefighting can dramatically increase the skin’s permeability. Our review of the science shows that sweat can act like a solvent, pulling carcinogens like PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) from the soot on their gear and skin into their bodies,” said Dr Desservettaz.

“This is immediately useful for firefighters because it provides the scientific “why” behind rapid and thorough decontamination. It confirms that washing your skin and properly cleaning your gear isn’t just about cleanliness, it’s a critical health and safety procedure to stop that ongoing chemical exposure.”

The paper also clarifies the limitations of PPE. For instance, the researchers confirm that the P2/N95-style masks common in wildland firefighting are excellent for particles but provide zero protection against the many toxic gases in smoke, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide.

Also, PPE may inadvertently introduce secondary hazards for fire fighters. Face masks worn during times of intense physical exertion in hot environments can restrict breathing and potentially increase fatigue. Masks may also restrict peripheral vision and impede clear communication. PPE clothing with chemical layers for high thermal protection may contribute to heat stress by trapping body heat and sweat.

“Ultimately, this research provides the evidence base for firefighters and agencies to make informed risk-management decisions. It validates the concerns firefighters have had for years and provides a scientific basis for enhancing safety protocols, from consistent PPE use to, most critically, effective after-fire decontamination.”

The paper is part of a broader study funded by the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre. The researchers are now working with the peak body for fire agencies in Australia, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, to translate these findings into practical educational materials.

“Addressing firefighter concerns: unravelling the complexities of bushfire smoke composition and toxicity” is published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire.