A helicopter hovers above a scenic landscape with a person suspended by a rope beneath it. The background features a calm blue lake, rolling hills, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky. Two large green trees are in the foreground
Winch crew demonstation

Aircraft boost firefighting power in Tasmania this Summer

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​​Fifteen additional aircraft are now based in Tasmania for the summer season.


Each summer National Aerial Firefighting Centre makes sure all Australian states and territories have access to planes and helicopters during the bushfire season.

These extra tools give firefighting agencies an added boost in their firefighting efforts.

The fleet is a mix of firebombing, aerial supervision and aerial intelligence-gathering aircraft.  It also includes a helicopter used by PWS to winch crews into fires.

At a recent event, PWS firefighters Keegan Pope and Daniel Lorrigan undertook a demonstration of these winching skills.

Tasmania's dense forests and mountainous terrain often stops helicopters from landing. Winching allows firefighters to be airlifted directly to fire zones, ensuring rapid deployment where it's most needed.

Early fire suppression is critical to preventing small fires from escalating. By using trained winch crews in remote areas, PWS can contain ignitions promptly. It can greatly reduce the spread and damage a fire can do.

Read more about fire management.

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Published 9/01/2026