November 12th, 2025Firefighting aircraft deployed ahead of schedule

Ahead of what’s expected to be a significant and elevated fire season, Victoria has strengthened its bushfire preparedness by deploying firefighting aircraft ahead of schedule to key parts of the state.

A total of 15 regional aircraft will start their service period early in key locations including Ballarat, Stawell and Ovens Valley. These aircraft can be moved across the state according to risk.

The early deployment is part of the state government’s additional $80 million investment in fire season preparedness – which has also supported the CFA to increase water storage across the state and improved community refuges and fire danger signs across Victoria.  

Victoria’s aerial firefighting fleet is made up of a mix of firebombing aircraft, air supervision and information-gathering aircraft, and plays an important role in supporting the ground operations of firefighters.

Victoria also has a call-when-needed capacity of up to 100 aircraft that can supplement the Victorian core fleet, which is available year-round.

The remainder of this year’s aerial firefighting fleet will arrive over the next month and into early December and are contracted until late March. These can be extended, if required.

Victoria is facing heightened fire risk this year due to low rainfall across the state, particularly in south-west Victoria, south-west Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula and the Wimmera.

For more information on how you can prepare for fires and other emergencies, download the VicEmergency app or visit emergency.vic.gov.au.