CFS Air Support

There were a number of grassfires requiring Water Bomber activity at various places across South Australia during the month but only one – at Craigburn Farm on 22nd March – in our Response Zone.  The Craigburn Farm incident required only two water drops and, because the Bombers take off fully loaded and two of them were deployed, our Brigade was not required to reload them.

Although they are commonly known as “Water Bombers”, in fact the aircraft are loaded with a mixture of water and certain additives.  The most frequently used for grass fires is foam – a wetting agent similar to those in shampoos and household detergents.  In firefighting, foam increases the effectiveness of the water through increased retention on vegetation and reduced evaporation.

Another kind of additive is called a water enhancer. We use a product named BlazeTamer 380 – a widely recognised product that was developed and is supplied by a South Australian company to firefighting organisations interstate and overseas.  Water enhancers are generally more effective in scrub or forest vegetation.  They adhere to vegetation better than foam and they are also heavier so they increase drop accuracy through decreased wind drift.  During the recent Cherry Gardens fire, we were instructed to load with foam initially (6 loads) then with BlazeTamer 380 for the remaining 66 loads.

Both foam and water enhancers are used directly on the fire, reducing the fire intensity and allowing ground crews closer access to the fire’s edge.

Retardants have a different function. They inhibit the ability of fuel to ignite and are placed ahead of the fire to stop or reduce its spread. Retardants are coloured red with iron oxide so that pilots and firefighters can see where they have been laid.

For those who would like more information about water additives, there is a section on Aerial Firefighting and Aerial Firefighting Products on the CFS website at cfs.sa.gov.au/about-cfs/firefighting

There is quite a lot of information available also on the Queensland website – www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au 

The South Australian CFS website also has a list of things you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Season. Although the weather seems much milder recently, please remember that the Fire Danger Season in the Mount Lofty Ranges doesn’t end this year until 30 April.