Wednesday January 25, 2023
Volume 38 No. 01
$1
inc. GST
The Cobar Weekly Stolen items seized in Nyngan raid Pg 2
Packed crowd for Kasey Chambers concert Pg 3
Hera Mine to cease production Pg 9
Eyes in the skies assist RFS to fight fires The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Far West Team currently has the assistance of two helicopters (and their pilots) to help fight and map bushfires in the western region. Dubbed the “fire trucks of the sky”, two helicopters, a Bell 427 from NSW Helicopters and a BO105 from Airborne Fire Solutions, and their pilots, have been working with the RFS on a “Call When Needed Contract” basis. Both are currently located in Cobar, due to the recent increase in bush fire activity. Justin Mulcahy, CEO of NSW Helicopters based in Port Macquarie, has also been helping out the State Emergency Service (SES) with flood work in the Cobar area since the middle of October. Along with fellow pilot Angelo Picoto from Airborne Fire Solutions, they have been contracted to work in the area “as and when they are required”. Mr Mulcahy said they choose to stay in Cobar (at their own cost) as part of their “not tasked, not required” contract they have with the RFS and other agencies. “We’re happy to be where we’re needed,” he said. Mr Mulcahy has also been doing some work for the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with Crown Lands collecting digital imagery to provide a bird’s eye view of vegetation growth which is further supported by on-ground inspections with RFS to assess and map strategic placement of fire breaks and fire trails. Acting District Manager for the RFS Far West Team, Brad Lennon, said having “eyes in the skies” has been invaluable in fighting and mapping bushfires in the region. “Many people think that with all the rain we’ve had over the past couple of years, that
everything is still green and there’s not much to burn. That’s however not the case.” The new growth is creating a substantial risk. “Out here, it dries off really quickly, the grass is curing at a considerable rate. Over the past few months we’ve attended numerous fires in the western area, particularly fires that have broken out due to lightning strikes. “In addition to a number of spot fires, we had a big fire at Yimkin on December 16 and another at Mema on January 1 where we had the
use of the LAT (Large Air Tanker) which is based in Dubbo during the fire season. “Another lightning strike caused a fire just south of Mt Hope last Saturday which burnt out approximately 1,000 hectares.” He said having the helicopters up in the air providing support to ground crew by mapping the fire (advising which way the fire is moving and at what rate) and also having the option of an aerial water delivery can help them to get on top of a fire much quicker. Continued Page 3.
Helicopter pilots Justin Mulcahy (CEO of NSW Helicopters) and Angelo Picoto (Chief Pilot with Airborne Fire Solutions) have been working with the NSW Rural Fire Service Far West Team to keep an eye on fire activity in the western area.
