Local pilots help in Boorowa fire fight
Published Date: 23 Jan 2013
Summary
Cootamundra Herald
COOTAMUNDRA pilot Scott Adams was amongst those who responded from the local area to the fast-moving bushfire which burnt between Young and Boorowa last week.
The fire began on Friday just after lunchtime on Moppity Road outside of Young. By 4pm Boorowa residents were encouraged to leave.The fire claimed 1600 hectares of country in and around the Black Range area and came within five kilometres of Boorowa, putting the entire village on high alert.
A timely southerly change turned the fire north taking it away from its path towards Boorowa.
Scott was the first plane over the fire. He had been put on standby by the Rural Fire Service earlier so took to the sky as soon as he got the call.
At this stage the fire was still uncontained by firefighters with ground crews working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.
Scott said he was able to assess the situation from the air and relay information back to the Rural Fire Service headquarters in Harden as well as dropping water on the fire.
The firefighting effort from the air, which included a sky crane, a number of fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters, was particularly important over some of the more inaccessible country around the Black Range.
Amongst the choppers fighting the fire was the Cootamundra-based Valhalla Helicopters.
Scott said the fire was moving really fast and was spotting well ahead of the main front, which is where the air efforts were targeted.
On the ground, Scott said the RFS volunteers did a great job in bringing the fire under control.
"It was very well coordinated by the RFS," Scott said.
Conditions over the weekend were favourable to bring the fire under control with containment lines holding.
Yesterday the RFS reported the fire was still burning but contained.
An experienced agricultural pilot, who regularly fights fire, Scott said you can't take anything for granted when in the air.
"Every fire is different," Scott said.
He said experience plays a big part in being effective over a fire.
"Knowing where to put the right load at the right time is important," Scott said.
After a busy couple of weeks, Scott said yesterday it has been quieter on the fire front. He spent Fridayover the fire, while Valhalla Helicopters continued to assist further into the weekend helping with mopping-up operations.
With plenty of lightning activity around the state, he said the possibility of another fire is distinct
