I read that media release today that CFS have agreement with "Gawler airfield / Adelaide Soaring Club" for the aircraft to utilise the airfield.
The article mentioned that a 22,000 litre rainwater tank had been installed by CFS at the Gawler airfield and was supported by CFS Mt Crawford Air Support Team.
How many airfields can the CFS use or have agreement to use & where are they ?
Down here in the South East theres a few airfields and landing strips that are used by the fire bombers
Mount Gambier Airport (Gambier Air base)
Millicent Airport (Supported by the Millicent Air Support)
Coonawarra Airstrip
Naracoorte Airport (Supported by Region 5 Air Support)
they used the pallamana airfield in the lower murray area for the recent meningie fire's. not sure what deals are in place for that area's airfields...
Pallamana (approx 10km's north of Murray Bridge) is strategic backup for Woodside as has two strips.
Currently has two 22000 litre tanks full (used by Broomrape mob off season) with a 20-foot shipping container onsite with dozen drums of foam, pumps, hoses etc all inside.
Jervois have the hook-truck with a 9000lt tanker to support.
Training is ongoing within Swanport Group to ensure sufficient resources can be supplied to load the planes.
The recent Meningie fire was an interesting one as all Jervois trucks along with half the Swanport Group appliances went down there and hence support for the airfield was gathered from remaining Jervois members as well as Mypolonga.
The Hoyleton Air Base situated approximately half way between Balaklava and Clare is a simple one. It's owned by the company that is contracted to supply the aircraft and is used by them in the winter months for agricultural operations. It's not used by any other aircraft that I am aware of.
Regards,
Terry
Cherry Gdns (Thorley Rd) strip is on SA Water land - Mt Bold reserve.
Has a 90KL tank fed from both a bore 1km away & a big farm dam (which has
yet to recover from the last 2 seasons' bombing). Only used for bombing.
And refilling tankers.
Aldinga aerodrome has been used in the past. Pretty much any GA strip could
be comandeered. Issue is water supply, rather than 'permission'.
Got half an idea the strip at Old Noa, just east of Main Sth Rd might also
have been used in days gone by.