The Australian fire season has made its presence felt early, with Sunshine Coast-based McDermott Aviation deploying two helicopters over the weekend to assist firefighting efforts in South East Queensland as strong winds fanned multiple blazes across the state.
Despite widespread rainfall earlier in the year, which encouraged vegetation growth and fuel load on the ground, communities are now facing hot, dry conditions that provide ideal conditions for bushfires to take hold.
McDermott Aviation founder and president John McDermott said while there is no official start date to the Australian fire season, conditions are emerging earlier every year.
“We are increasingly seeing the start and finish of fire seasons blurring – in both Europe and Australia,” said McDermott.
“In Greece, fires are starting earlier and burning longer, and we’re seeing the same trend here at home. That means our teams have to be on the ready year-round, with our helicopters and crews mobilised at a moment’s notice.”
McDermott Aviation currently has 15 helicopters stationed in Greece, where teams remain active fighting major forest fires across the country. A number of these aircraft will return to Australia as the European season slows, boosting local capability as conditions intensify.
McDermott Aviation operates the Southern Hemisphere’s largest privately owned helicopter fleet, with more than 50 aircraft, including the world’s largest collection of Bell 214 series helicopters.
The company is a recognised leader in aerial firefighting and natural disaster response, supporting governments and communities across Australia, Europe, and North America with safe, reliable, and rapid-response aviation solutions.
The company specialises in aerial firefighting, heavy lifting, agricultural spraying, infrastructure support, emergency response, aerial application, tourism, and training.
For more information, visit www.mcdermottaviation.com.
