Unencrypted South Australian emergency service radio as it was received. Transcripts are made by a
machine and are often wrong; listen to the recording before relying on one.
Sierra Sector acknowledged; crew noted good fuel burning and a 10-15 metre open area before hose lay impact.
5310646
16:33:44 14.7s
Yeah, roger. Yeah, we'll keep our eyes on that. There's some good fuel that is burning in, but we've got a big open sparse area, about 10 to 15 metres before it would, yeah, impact the hoselay.
Helicopter reported three runs with 10, 9, and 8 pills per run; advised north correction east-west line aligns with number 6 line.
Firebird 504
16:29:04 16.3s
Operation 51504 has completed three runs there, averaging 10, 9 and 8 pils per run. That north correction, east west line should align with roughly your number 6 line on your list.
✕
16:29:33
Missed calls × 2· tuner busy · 26.6s in all · Radios Firebird 504, Sierra Sector
504 helicopter described fire line location on ops map, tracking northwest to 20-26 mark; Sierra Sector agreed to try six on photo map.
Firebird 504
16:23:33 3.2s
Station, second line completed, another nine fields.
Sierra Sector
16:23:44 8.0s
Brett, how far, like, can you reference your last line of ignition on that map I sent, over?
Firebird 504
16:23:53 0.7s
(no speech recognised)
Firebird 504
16:23:55 22.4s
Standby, I'm still looking at your ops map on my tablet. That line we just put in was in between the two easternmost creek lines, tracking to the northwest and following out to the northwest and stopping at the 20-26 mark on your northern boundary, approximately 100 metres in off your northern boundary.
Firebird 504
16:24:39 5.3s
Happy to do so. Do you want to step out to the west and do the same again?
Sierra Sector
16:24:45 6.0s
Affirmative. Let's try to get to that six on the photo map over.
504 helicopter confirmed two runs of 200m spacing, south to north then east to west, awaiting further instruction.
Firebird 504
16:19:53 19.0s
Operations 504 has completed dummy run of that plan, and we'll put in that first run as per the plan as best we can, it's tricky doing the 200, but we'll have a look, and we'll then discuss whether you want to continue that same pattern or wait out to see how it looks.
Sierra Sector
16:20:13 8.0s
Yeah, roger that. Just confirming, you'll do one run of that 200 metre spacing and wait out, over.
Firebird 504
16:20:22 17.8s
That's affirmative if you want. We've done a dummy run. We'll do a south to north, then east to west, aiming for the best part of 200 metres spacing. We're happy to wait out or follow up with a second one, just stepping out to the west if you like.
Radio 5310646 reported three crew members on hose lay, requesting EMS support; Sierra Sector asked for EMS assistance, and Blackhill 34 was released to help.
5310646
16:17:55 12.9s
Roger mate, copy, I'm standing with Andy and Jacob now, so they're aware, and just for your info there, I guess, I'm down to three crew members along the hose lay, and that's it.
Sierra Sector
16:18:09 14.3s
Roger mate, can you work with November, I'm hoping EMS can free up some bodies for you to stretch out along that hose lay, because when you go you're going to get stretched pretty quick over.
5310646
16:18:24 4.1s
Yeah, no worries. After you in November, did you copy?
5310670
16:18:29 5.3s
Yeah, copy that, Tom. I can release Blackhill 34 back to you if you'd like.
5310646
16:18:37 23.3s
Yeah, that'll be good. I did originally have Brownhill as well, my sector, they're potentially able to come back across soon, not necessarily straight away, but we've only got like a 40 metre black edge along our hose leg currently, so if we're going to light pretty quick, we're going to have a lot of fire.
Sierra Sector outlined grid areas and spacing for 504 helicopter; they agreed on 200m spacing and L shape operation.
✕
16:13:59
Missed call· tuner busy · 6.5s · Radio Firebird 504
Firebird 504
16:14:24 7.1s
Yeah, roger that. That's a good plan. Does that include the unnumbered section in the center?
Sierra Sector
16:14:32 22.4s
So on the map there are some red and white lines, I'm not sure whether you can see them, but it would be block 2 in orange, block 3 in green, block 4 in blue, and then there's lines 4, 5, 6 and 7, they're all to be included, over.
Firebird 504
16:14:55 6.2s
Yeah, copy that, I can see all that. Can you just clarify what you mean by that grid you spoke of?
Sierra Sector
16:15:03 10.2s
Chatting with Ian, we're going to go with 200 metres facing and 200 metres back off each other. Over.
Firebird 504
16:15:16 9.5s
Copy that. So are you happy for us to work in that L shape, staying within that aura boundary, moving through to the green?
Sierra Sector
16:15:27 9.3s
Affirmative, working from east to west, north to south, and avoiding those creek climbs as mentioned over.
Firebird 504
16:15:37 16.5s
Yeah, probably that. South to north, east to west we can do, and we'll do our best to maintain that 200 by 200. That's going to be pretty open in regards to the number of peels you'll get in there. Easy to avoid the creek lines, but yeah, that spacing will just be quite open.
Sierra Sector
16:15:54 9.7s
Roger that. If we put that in and it's proving to be too far apart, do you see any issues with having to add some more in? Over.
Firebird 504
16:16:05 2.6s
No, not at that stage, if it's not working.
Firebird 504
16:16:08 7.1s
I don't think it'll be enough to smoke us out, but we should be able to get in if it's not behaving like we want.
Sierra Sector
16:16:16 15.9s
Roger that, let's execute that plan, then we might get you to sit down and let it build, and we've got a good vantage point of the fire ground to watch it, and then we'll go through block 8 plan later on, over.
Firebird 504
16:16:33 9.3s
Yep, copy that. We'll implement that now. We'll just do some calculations to get you your correct spacing and we'll do a dummy run.
Sierra Sector
16:16:43 8.4s
Many thanks. Out to you, Sector Commanders, November and Sierra, did you copy last on GRN, over?
Sierra Sector asked if 504 had put spots behind Tim's ignition line; 504 confirmed three lines were put in. Operations informed Sierra Sector they were one link from 2026 and asked to continue.
✕
16:07:23
Missed calls × 2· tuner busy · 7.3s in all · Radios Sierra Sector, Firebird 504
Firebird 504
16:07:41 18.5s
In the east on November, we've probably got up 50 to, well, even 80 metres, I'd say, and obviously declining to the west, we've probably got our last run, probably 20 metres test, and then the hand ignition tape over.
Sierra Sector
16:08:01 2.3s
Roger, out.
Sierra Sector
16:08:29 2.8s
Firebird from Ops over.
Firebird 504
16:08:32 1.2s
See you guys.
Sierra Sector
16:08:34 7.1s
Have you been putting any spots in behind Tim's ignition line? Over.
Firebird 504
16:08:43 11.1s
We've put three lines going east-west behind the northern extent there, and tapering off to the west to meet his hand ignition, so yes.
Sierra Sector
16:08:56 1.7s
Copy, out.
5310563
16:09:25 9.8s
Operations, from ignition, just letting you know we're one link from that 2026 label. Do you want us to continue past that over?
Sierra Sector
16:09:36 6.4s
Yes please mate, and happy for you to put in as much as quick as you can over.
Sierra Sector advised core ignition and hose lays; radio 5310563 confirmed receipt.
16:06:14 1.0s
(no speech recognised)
5310563
16:06:21 10.0s
Making good progress. I'll send you to Greengrave, I reckon we'll get to that 2026 label in the next 10 to 15 minutes over.
Sierra Sector
16:06:32 15.4s
Roger mate, just keep going, now we've got that west LOS starting to kick in, looking towards getting a bit more core ignition in, so yeah, that northern hose lay, just keep moving, over.
Helicopter 504 discussed avoiding a creek line, confirmed ignition line adjustments, and noted fire behaviour on the eastern boundary.
Firebird 504
15:58:05 2.5s
Operation Firebird 504.
5310464
15:58:10 1.5s
Send
Firebird 504
15:58:12 15.1s
Pat, on your office map, you've got a drainage or a creek line running southwest to northeast on the eastern side of your block. Our next ignition line is going to be coming quite close to that. Do you want that creek line avoided?
5310464
15:58:30 4.6s
You're talking about the top end of that creek, Glenn, over.
Firebird 504
15:58:36 1.5s
Yeah, affirmative.
5310464
15:58:38 4.8s
Top end not so worried about, if there's some ignition in there, over.
Firebird 504
15:58:45 6.2s
Roger that, we'll avoid the southern end where it bends to the west, northwest.
5310464
15:58:53 4.2s
Yeah, roger that. That was on your next line you said, over.
Firebird 504
15:58:59 3.9s
Yeah, that's affirmative, whenever you need it, something to do with some pre-planning.
5310464
15:59:03 15.9s
Copy that. We're just making our way around to your airbase. Happy for you to work with Tim Groves on extending ignition along the west of Emma's November Hosley. Over.
5310464
15:59:41 7.7s
Copy that. Let those build a little bit more and then we'll get you to do another run through the block, over.
Firebird 504
15:59:50 18.6s
Yeah, copy that. Yeah, the last line of 61 pills are slowly developing on your east-west run, south-eastern northern boundary, the area on your eastern boundary, getting really good fire behaviour through that heat fuel, even the innocent blue is starting to burn out a little bit.
5310464
16:00:09 4.8s
Great news. Thanks, Brett. Talk to you shortly. Over.
Helicopter 504 reported incendiaries with minimal flames, low fuels, and planned east-west lines on northern boundary; Murraylands bulky 10 requested, over.
✕
15:52:44
Missed call· no audio received · 2.0s · Radio 5310464
5310464
15:53:13 1.4s
Send.
Firebird 504
15:53:15 9.7s
On the east-west line, it looks pretty bony. We do have a number of incendiaries that have ignited, but pretty minimal, up to one metre flame height.
Firebird 504
15:53:25 4.4s
Low fuels there, but yeah, all looking really good at the moment.
Firebird 504
15:53:57 11.6s
Yeah, if you're talking adding more to the northern boundary, so another east-west line, we've already thought that would be a good option and pretty easy to do just to fill it in a bit more.
5310464
15:54:10 3.7s
Great, thanks mate. Go ahead with that, over.
Firebird 504
15:54:15 5.8s
Roger Wilco, we'll just concentrate on that northern boundary, doing east west lines, just to fill it in.
5310464
15:54:27 3.4s
Say again, radio chatter, over.
Firebird 504
15:54:31 4.6s
Confirming we'll stick in that northern boundary doing east west line.
Sierra Sector asked for more resources, requested CFS 34 for experience, and mentioned CFS crew looking for tasks on the control line.
Firebird 504
15:45:08 2.5s
Operation Firebird 504.✓ checked
Sierra Sector
15:45:12 2.3s
Receiving send✓ checked
Firebird 504
15:45:15 10.4s
Yeah, so your southerly has arrived from what I can see. Looks like a very strong influence coming from the south, pushing over your northern and north eastern boundaries.✓ checked
Sierra Sector
15:45:27 4.6s
That's great, mate. Can you put one more line in then? Over.✓ checked
Firebird 504
15:45:32 6.6s
One more line just confirming, would you like that same pattern, north, south to north, then east to west.✓ checked
Sierra Sector
15:45:40 1.7s
Thanks man, over.✓ checked
Firebird 504
15:45:42 5.0s
Roger Wilco, I'm just in the process of flicking you through a couple of photos as well.✓ checked
Sierra Sector
15:45:48 8.4s
Roger that. Before you put that in, is that 20, what's your depth do you think you could take off a bigger chunk this run? Over.
Firebird 504
15:45:57 10.0s
Driving by the fire behavior, very patchy, maybe 3 meter flame height where it's occurring, but yeah, I'd be comfortable and we're about to hit that minister floor patch as well.
Sierra Sector
15:46:08 3.4s
Roger that. Let's give it one go. Over.
Firebird 504
15:46:12 1.9s
504 aligning out
5310670
15:46:36 6.0s
Yes, and they seem fine. Have it grossed any further than what I have resource down there?
5310563
15:46:44 12.0s
We've reached the end of the line, so the lighters are jumping on a water thief at this stage, so if you could send any more crew down, that would be great, but we'll just hold up until summer available, over.
✕
15:47:04
Missed call· tuner busy · 3.6s · Radio Sierra Sector
5310646
15:47:21 5.8s
Yeah, roger, can do. Out to you, November Sector, Sierra.
5310646
15:47:43 4.6s
November Sector from Sierra Sector.
5310646
15:47:56 0.5s
(no speech recognised)
5310670
15:47:59 5.8s
Yeah, Tom, that'd be great. You can send them down, Aunt Moseley, right down the very bottom, that'd be great.
5310670
15:48:27 1.5s
Yeah, roger, thanks.
Sierra Sector
15:48:41 3.4s
Yeah, from us.
5310646
15:48:49 1.0s
Saving
Sierra Sector
15:48:51 17.4s
Just, there's a couple of CFS crew looking like they're looking for something to do up on the control line. Is there a chance we can get that 34, CFS 34 down for some experience rather than the parks crew?
5310646
15:49:10 6.4s
Yeah, we can. They're just going in, yeah, just over half an hour.
Sierra Sector
15:49:17 3.9s
Don't worry about it, mate. I shouldn't be micromanaging. You're doing a send.
504 reported good fire behaviour and vegetation north of the area, indicating potential for further action; Sierra Sector instructed to keep circling and stay in contact.
Firebird 504
15:38:15 5.7s
Operations 504 has completed that line, another 68 hills on that one.
Sierra Sector
15:38:22 9.1s
Thanks Brett. We might keep you in the air this time, just circling for a little bit, and then we'll probably go ahead with another run, over.
Firebird 504
15:38:32 15.9s
Yeah, copy that, just getting some good fire behaviour to the north of that, and it's a flower patch, and certainly the next one looks like it should hit some, from up here, looks like some good heat, vegetation, much better elevated fuel and connectivity.
Sierra Sector
15:38:49 5.5s
Thanks, Brad. Yeah, just keep circling and we'll be in touch. Over.
504 completed dummy run, lining up to start line 3; Sierra Sector instructed to aim for ignition at 2026 label.
Firebird 504
15:35:11 8.9s
Operations 504 is airborne, coming over the southwestern corner, we'll go straight into our dummy run, south and north and turn to the west.
Sierra Sector
15:35:22 1.7s
Roger that, over
Sierra Sector
15:35:34 2.5s
November Sector Ops.
5310728
15:35:51 2.8s
Nah, negative, can you repeat it please?
Sierra Sector
15:35:55 14.2s
We're going to keep moving, Tim, relatively quickly along your hose lay, aiming to get ignition to the 2026 label on your ops mat. Over.
Firebird 504
15:36:37 11.4s
504 has completed dummy run, we've got a good eye on what we need to do here, we'll stop short of that western ignition, we're lining up to commence line number 3.
Sierra Sector instructed radio 5215760 on fireline positioning and ignition direction; radio 5215760 confirmed plan and acknowledged.
Sierra Sector
15:28:52 3.7s
503 from operations, over.
5215760
15:29:00 1.4s
Receiving go ahead
Sierra Sector
15:29:02 17.8s
Hi mate, keen to get you back up in the air, doing another line in behind what you did last, on your first dummy run maybe just have a look and see how that last lot's building and whether you need to bring them in a little bit tighter, over.
5215760
15:29:20 10.2s
Yep, copy that. Last, when we departed, I reckon this line will line up with the top edge of that, Vanessa Fleur, that'll be interesting to see how that goes.
Sierra Sector
15:29:31 22.6s
Yeah, roger that. And when you hit the hose lay, Tim is going to continue lighting to the northwest. I'm happy as long as the lay of the land looks right, which it does to me. I'm doing a line of spots in behind his edge, not going further along to the west than he's started lighting over.
5215760
15:29:55 12.5s
So just confirming, we'll go south to north as per previous and then we'll put up his ignition on the northwestern side.