Firefighting aircraft take to the skies in annual training exercise
21/08/2026
The SA Country Fire Service, along with contractors Aerotech and Helifarm, will be conducting a range of aviation exercises from the Port Pirie Aerodrome over the next 5 weeks, as part of annual preparations ahead of the upcoming fire danger season.
CFS will be conducting courses from Sunday 23 August to Friday 28 August, Monday 7 September to Friday 11 September, and Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September.
Residents within Port Pirie and surrounding areas should not be alarmed by the presence of aircraft.
CFS Manager State Aviation Operations Nik Stanley said the training exercises will involve multiple aircraft, including Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) fixed wing and helicopter surveillance aircraft, which will be conducting multiple flights per day.
"Over the course of the three weeks of training, approximately 110 CFS and National Parks and Wildlife Service Air Operations personnel, including staff, volunteers and contractors, will complete the training programs which gives them practical skills in the control and coordination of firebombing aircraft," Mr Stanley said.
"Air operations personnel will be refining their skills in the collection of intelligence, aerial mapping of fires, and ground-to-air tactical communication."
Mr Stanley said the community may notice an increase in aircraft activity in the training areas and not to be alarmed.
"If residents see aerial firefighting and surveillance aircraft operating in and around the Port Pirie area, including Telowie Gorge and Wirrabara Range Conservation Parks, they should not be concerned," he said.
"Smoke canisters will be used to simulate bushfire smoke during the exercises, and locals can be assured that we will have ground crews in attendance with fire extinguishing resources, in the event they are required."
Residents in the surrounding areas will notice an increase in aerial movements between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm during these training weeks.
