PWS are responding to many fires across the State.
In the Northeast, PWS fire crews continue to work on the Squally Cove - Deal Island fire with support from air operations.
Aerial view of the Deal Island bushfire that re-ignited Friday under strong southerly winds
The Deal Island bushfire reignited on Friday under strong southerly winds. PWS crews, including a winch crew, returned to Deal Island, with the fire spread to over 40ha. They worked over the weekend to bring it back under control.
One of several heli pads being created by the WINCH crews to assist in safely relocating fire fighters across the challenging and steep terrain of Deal Island
The Deal Island fire received good rainfall on Sunday 16 February, and along with good work on the ground supported by two water bombing aircraft, the fire did not grow any further. Thirteen remote area fire fighters including four winch crew were inserted on the island on Monday 17 February to assist in establishing containment. Containment and mop up operations are progressing well.
West Coast Complex
Crews use fire beaters supported by water bombing aircraft to extinguish buttongrass backing fire
PWS remote firefighters have been using a combination of fire beaters and other hand tools supported by water bombing aircraft to try and control the spread of fire at Canning Peak near the Overland Track.
Water bombing aircraft supporting ground crews at the Canning Peak fire
Firefighters are also deployed to Zeehan and surrounds, and active firefighting work also continues on the Mt Donaldson and Pieman River fires with crews working on road edges focused on bushfire suppression and mitigation activities for the protection of townships and critical assets.
Balfour back burn
Innovation
Our fire crews are using the latest technology available to tackle the current bushfire incidents.
A helicopter places a RECCE into position for monitoring fire activity
Camera and communication units known as RECCE can be slung underneath a helicopter and delivered to remote locations to keep and eye on running bushfires.
Image of a RECCE deployed to monitor the fire ground
The system, coupled with Starlink satellite technology and a self-supporting power system, provides live HD video, weather and aviation data directly to those in the Incident Management Team (IMT) in Burnie.
Image transmitted by a RECCE
This significantly increases situational awareness and the safety of firefighters, plant operators and aviation roles.
Thanks to all staff involved directly and indirectly supporting the response activities and the willingness to assist the fire duty operations room in meeting the many deployment requests. Stay Safe. Thanks also to those who are maintaining PWS business as usual with reduced numbers as staff are deployed to the fires.