2025 Australia Bushfires: Tasmania (February 22)

 I have been thinking about the current bushfire season in Tasmania, Australia, see the Tasmania Fire Service for current local information. According to a February 22nd report on ABC News Australia, this is the third week of a bushfire emergency in Australia with 97,700 hectres burned (241,422 acres) burned and gusty winds have made it difficult for responders to fight the bushfires. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service continues to provide support to Tasmania.

Members continue to support Tasmania with fires burning on the state's west coast. Remote area firefighters, inserted via helicopter, are working to extinguish hotspots on remote fire edges. Two RFS helicopters also remain deployed, providing winch and waterbombing support. pic.twitter.com/VF5grnNid4

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 22, 2025

2025 Australia Bushfire Season: Tasmania Bushfire emergency (Feb 14th)

Direct link to video from ABC News Australia

Direct link to video from ABC News in Depth (Australia)

I posted about the bushfire emergency in Tasmania, Australia on February 12th. The bushfire emergency continues in Tasmania. For more information see the Tasmania Fire Service page and the Tasmania Fire Service incidents and warnings page (updated daily), with a map. Evacuations are in place. Please take a few minutes to watch both of the videos that I embedded above. 

2025 Australia Wildfire Season: Bushfire Emergency in Tasmania

 It is winter in my part of the world in the northern hemisphere which means that it is summer in the southern hemisphere. Like other parts of the world, summer in Australia means increased bushfires. I try to keep my eyes open for bushfire activity in Australia. I follow the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) on Facebook where I recently saw that they had sent their tanker, the Marie Bashir to Tazmania to assist with their bushfire season.

With the deployment of aviation assets and logistical support to Tasmania, as well as aerial intelligence aircraft to South Australia over recent days, RFS personnel and equipment are currently deployed to four different state or across the entire east coast of Australia. pic.twitter.com/7QtneG4tG0

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 10, 2025

 

 In addition to sending the Marie Bashir airtanker to Tasmania, they NSWRFS also sent supplies and equipment to Tasmania

A convoy of six large #RFS trucks is traveling through Victoria, carrying supplies & support staff for a 150-person base camp to assist firefighting efforts in Tasmania. Heading to Geelong, they will board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry. Give them a wave if you see them! pic.twitter.com/TGq9VysYMR

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 11, 2025

As you can see from the two videos that I have embedded below, Tasmania declared a bushfire emergency on or about February 12, thanks to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildfire Page for sharing this video today. According to the second video from ABC News Australia, sixteen bushfires have burnt 45,000 hectares of bush or approximately 112,000 acres. I wish all the crews on the ground and in the air working the bushfires in Tasmania the best and that may be safe as the fight these bushfires.

Direct link to video from Sky News Australia on YouTube

Direct link to video from ABC News Australia on YouTube

 

News from Coulson Aviation (January 3rd)

 Coulson Aviation is deploying to Australia and has already deployed to Chili after a busy wildfire season in the western United States. See these short posts from X, formerly Twitter for more information.

Today, Coulson Aviation marks 15 million gallons of water and retardant delivered on fire missions this year. Every drop represents our unwavering support for firefighters and the communities they protect 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/0h1NsR5RrM

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 30, 2024

 

As 2024 ends, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of aerial firefighting operations. Thanks to the Coulson Crew, partners, and local orgs for trusting us to protect communities worldwide. Here's to a safe, impactful 2025! #happynewyear #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/107L7bYiaV

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 31, 2024

 

 

Take to the skies with Tanker 138! Before deploying to Western Australia earlier this year, this Herc completed a test flight, ensuring it in tip-top shape for the upcoming fire season. Join us for a glimpse of this incredible aircraft in action 💪 #coulsonaviation #c130 pic.twitter.com/xIQrnXHqU8

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) January 2, 2025

Day 1 on contract in Chile, and Tanker 137 is already making an impact. Our Coulson Crew hit the ground running, ensuring smooth operations and keeping the mission on track. Getting it done is what we do 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/WfPa4GxHxN

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 27, 2024

New South Wales Rural Fire Service: Helicopter Pilot Profile

 I pay some attention to New South Wales in Australia in part because I have acquaintances in New South Wales but also because as I can, I try to have an international perspective on aerial wildland fire fighting. While perusing the New South Wales Rural Fire Service's Facebook page the other day I came across their member profile of Mick Cantwell a helicopter pilot who is also a remote area firefighter. 

Importance of Maintenance Checks of Aircraft

 Regular maintenance checks are important for the safety of all aircraft including but not limited to air tankers, firefighting helicopters, and support aircraft. Some shorter maintenance checks are done during the firefighting season that may only take an airtanker out of service for a night. Other maintenance checks take longer, such as the fall maintenance checks that Coulson is currently doing on their aircraft in advance of the fire season in Australia. 

NSW Rural Fire Service's Bomber 210, a Coulson air tanker, did good service in California during their summer fire season and is back in Australia for their fire season.