Passing chopper spots fire
Published Date: 23 Jan 2013
Summary
Cootamundra Herald
IT WAS the right place at the right time for a passing fire fighting helicopter, spotting a fire below.
South West Zone Rural Fire Service Superintendent Arthur Sharp told the Cootamundra Herald that around 7pm on Sunday night a helicopter saw smoke below him near the railway line.The passing helicopter extinguished the grass fire eight kilometres from Stockinbingal on Sunday night.
The helicopter dumped a bucket of water to try and extinguish the blaze.
A second helicopter on its return from fighting fires elsewhere in the zone, also heard about the fire and asked the RFS permission to assist, which was granted.
A couple of brigades were called to assist with the mopping up.As a result Superintendent Sharp said the fire was put out reasonably quickly by the two choppers.
The fire was 15 metres wide and 50 metres long and burned within the fire break along the rail line.
