The critical time above a bushfire for a fire bomber lasts 10 to 15 seconds. And it's hot, mate.
Dense smoke reduces visibility to zero.
The smoke carries cinders which can choke a turbine and put the helicopter into the fire. There's no point in killing yourself - it won't put out the fire. The McDermott aircraft are part of a back-up force of 300 helicopters and planes in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria that rural firefighters can call on in emergencies. Weary firefighters condemned arsonists yesterday after they were again called to dozens of deliberately lit fires across Sydney. Several large fires, particularly in northern NSW, still burned out of control.