Crown Lands, in conjunction with the Rural Fire Service (RFS), have been conducting aerial inspections of fire trails throughout NSW during the past several weeks, to ensure they are in good condition as summer approaches.
On November 15, crews took off from the Clarence Valley Regional Airport on a scheduled flight path across Ramornie, Trenayr, Dinner Creek, and Oakwood.
Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said aerial inspections across the region assist in identifying if clearance and/or maintenance is required to ensure fire trails are ready to go for firefighters if any blazes breakout during the summer.
Mr Gulaptis said fire combat agencies including the RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and Forestry Corporation all rely on properly maintained fire trails.
“While ongoing wet weather has dampened the immediate bushfire risk, it has also caused erosion in some areas and sparked vegetation growth which needs to be managed before the hot and dry weather returns,” he said.
“Crown Lands conducts the aerial inspections together with the RFS, and the Soil Conservation Service do follow-up work on any needed ground maintenance.”
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said helicopter inspections are more efficient than four-wheel drive checks in remote locations.
“Inspections identify if trees have fallen and need removal, if erosion or vegetation growth has impacted trails, and if watercourse crossings require repair,” he explained.
“Other work includes constructing and maintaining fire vehicle passing and turning bays, signage, and gates to protect trails from illegal access and dumping.
“Well maintained fire trails allow firefighters to get quick and safe access to fight blazes when they break out to stop them spreading to minimise property damage and risk to life.”
A spokesperson for Crown Lands said as of November 15, 159 out of 557 NSW fire trails which had been inspected had been identified as needing clearance or maintenance work completed ahead of summer.
“The aerial inspections present us with a great opportunity to look at the surface condition, which helps us identify which fire trails need more urgent attention,” they said.
“We’ve also been blessed with really good flying weather, and thankfully, we managed to dodge the storms which hit the region earlier this month.”
The spokesperson said aerial inspections commenced on November 3 and were expected to be completed by mid-November.