As the Cudgegong District Rural Fire Service manages its several ground crews this bush fire season there are also local aerial services keeping outbreaks to a minimum.
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As of yesterday a fire at Falcon (Rylstone) was being controlled. Another fire at the top of Nullo Mountain was also under control.
But Mid-Western residents who noticed an increase in helicopters flying around over the past week can know our region is constantly being scanned for fires.
On Friday the Mudgee Guardian spoke to experienced Commercial Helicopters pilot Sean Doherty about the roles he has played so far this bush fire season.
“I’ve been going before Christmas and was lucky enough to get a break on Christmas and Boxing Day but you are always on standby because you could be called to anywhere in the state,” he said.
In the past fortnight Mr Doherty has flown for Forests NSW to fight a Lithgow bush fire, as well as help with fires at Spring Gully (near Wollar) and the Murrumbilly fire (near Hargraves).
“Mainly the work involves water bombing,” Mr Doherty said. “It’s all about turnaround times. How quick you can get back to fire with a full load of water. Dams come in handy.
“Depending on the size of the fire there are usually a couple of helicopters and we are in communication with the Rural Fire Service. Often if fixed wing air-craft are involved too there will be one helicopter sitting above everybody to co-ordinate plans.
“The fire at Hargraves was helped by the fact there were already helicopters in the area at Spring Gully and they just zipped across and went straight to work.”
Friday was a catch up day for many in the local area as the Murrumbilly fire was under control but still needed surveillance.
A 76-year-old Hargraves man has been charged with beginning the fire after using an angle grinder. It has burnt about 200 hectares.
Mr Doherty was flying a Rural Fire Service member on Friday over the Murrumbilly fire to keep check with what was happening on the ground.
He said Commercial Helicopters had their biggest craft currently based in Tasmania and had been there before Christmas. There were also other craft based on the NSW south coast and at Goulburn.
Mr Doherty said the helicopter job was as dangerous as he made it.
“It’s like driving a car. If you drive it like a maniac you can find yourself in trouble,” he said. “You obviously have to be very experienced to fight fires though as you can come across some difficult situations.”
Mr Doherty said he often keeps the helicopter at his home in Grattai to save time on call outs.
