Aircraft fleet standby to fight fires in North East after floods

The fleet will be used by Forest Fire Management Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria.

FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said firebombing aircraft could be dispatched to hit fires hard and fast and keep them small.

"North East Victoria is one of the most fire prone areas in the world and this impressive aircraft fleet will work together to deliver an effective fire suppression operation," he said.

"Dispatching the aircraft with ground crews, fire trucks and bulldozers increases our ability to rapidly contain or limit the size and spread of fires.

"This helps keep communities, and the environment, safe."

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Since October, more than 1800 aircraft movements have transported resources and surveyed flood affected areas.

The firefighting aircraft based across the north-east region this summer are:

Bomber 360 Air Tractor AT802 Fireboss. A fixed wing firebombing aircraft with the capacity to carry 3200 litres of water, foam or fire retardant. This aircraft is fitted with floats and can scoop water "on the run" from large water bodies like Hume weir. It can travel at speeds of ~350km/h.

Birddog 375. A single turbine fixed wing high wing aircraft used for fire spotting, air attack supervision, reconnaissance, and firefighter transport. It can carry up to nine passengers and reach speeds of ~300km/h.

Firebird 328, Airbus AS350 B3 Squirrel. This single engine helicopter is predominantly used for firebombing and is equipped with a 1,100-litre firebombing tank. The tank can be refilled in a hover in about 45 seconds.

Helitak 349, Bell 412. A Type 2 firebombing helicopter fitted with a 1,400 litre belly tank. It can also be used to transport fire crews and conduct rappel operations.

Helitak 348, Sikorsky S61N. A twin turbine engine firebombing helicopter fitted with a 4,000-litre capacity bucket. The aircraft can carry two pilots and up to 17 passengers and is used for firebombing, fire crew insertion, sling load and rappel operations.

Firebird 311, Airbus AS350 B2 Squirrel. A single turbine helicopter used for air attack supervision, aerial ignition and reconnaissance.

Bomber 358, Air Tractor AT802A. A fixed wing firebombing aircraft with a 3,200-litre hopper capacity. It can drop water, foam, or fire retardant and reach speeds of 350 km/h.

Helitak 332, Bell 412. A firebombing helicopter also used for rappel firefighting crews. Can carry up to 10 passengers.

Firebird 303 Airbus AS350 B3 Squirrel. A single turbine helicopter used for air attack supervision, aerial ignition and reconnaissance

Firebird 327, Airbus AS350 B3 Squirrel. This single engine helicopter is predominantly used for firebombing and is equipped with a 1,100-litre tank. The tank can be refilled in the hover in about 45 seconds.

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