The future of firefighting has arrived in Ballarat as pilots conduct aerial mapping ahead of plans for the state’s first night firebombing trial.
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Innovative firefighting methods are continuing to be tested as firefighters warn high risk days lie ahead.
Emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley confirmed a helicopter designed to undertake aerial mapping for planning of a trial of night time firebombing operations, pending approval, was based at Ballarat airport.
“The helicopter will be used to complete survey work and identify hazards at a number of sites across the Ballarat region to see if they could be used as potential locations for the trial,” Mr Lapsley said.
District 15 duty officer Chris Bigham said all resources were on deck to control four potentially catastrophic fires that broke out in the region on Wednesday.
While temperatures dropped significantly overnight firefighters warned high-risk days lie ahead.
Bureau of Meterology forecaster Richard Carlyon said the cool change would not bring any rain, causing grass to continue to dry out ahead of spike days.
A Mount Franklin fire which burned last week reignited on Wednesday, while a significant fire at Glenlyon is believed to have started during slashing.
“This shows that when the wind and temperature gets up a fire that was thought to be extinguished can reignite,” Mr Bigham said.
“Any fire that starts on a day like (Wednesday) is significant and has the potential to have catastrophic consequences.”