Firefighting air units

Slovenia has significantly improved its response to wildfires with the establishment of an aerial firefighting unit, according to reports from local media. The unit, which includes four Air Tractor aircraft, was activated during two fires this week, including one on Bovški. The deployment comes amid rising concerns over wildfire risks due to changing weather patterns, with officials noting that the country is better prepared than ever before. The unit was established in 2023 and operates under the Slovenian Rescue and Protection Agency. General Director Leon Behin highlighted that the country has implemented numerous measures in recent years, making it much better equipped to handle wildfires compared to 2022, when a fire near Trstelj burned 3,700 hectares. The new unit plays a crucial role in enhancing fire safety, particularly in areas where ground crews face challenges. The unit's operations begin when the Fire Alert Center activates it upon receiving a fire report or when ground firefighters request assistance. According to unit leader Mitja Vidmar, the process involves preparing the aircraft, pilots getting ready for flight, and a coordinator managing the entire operation. “We aim to be faster and more efficient, ensuring a shorter response time,” Vidmar explained. The unit also conducts preventive flights, where aircraft are already loaded with water, further reducing response times in emergencies. Refilling the tank with a capacity of three thousand liters takes approximately three minutes at the airport, while water retrieval from bodies of water takes around twenty seconds. Since the beginning of the previous week, the unit has responded to twelve early-stage fires, helping to prevent them from escalating. Behin noted that these efforts reduce the risk to ground firefighters and emphasize the importance of coordination between the unit and on-site teams. Pilots must select suitable locations for water retrieval, often choosing large lakes such as Lake Bohinj or major rivers. A memorandum of understanding with Italy allows water retrieval in Italian waters, and cooperation with Austria is ongoing to determine specific retrieval sites. Aircraft can refuel at all Slovenian airports, with the example of a potential fire in Kamniška Bistrica requiring a flight to the nearest Brnovska airport. Vidmar described the difference between landing on water versus asphalt, highlighting how flight specifics change when releasing water. “Landing on water is entirely different from landing on asphalt, and flight characteristics change completely when you release water, making the aircraft significantly lighter,” he stated. Pilots require approximately one thousand meters of water surface for safe retrieval. In a recent incident at Tržaški Bay, a flight cycle lasted six to seven minutes, with the pilot releasing water, retrieving it in two minutes, and returning. Behin emphasized the intensity of such missions, noting that pilots rarely have time to rest, flying up to two to three hours before needing to refill the tank and take a break. The unit operates two types of aircraft, one with wheels and three with pontoons, each requiring separate training, as flight methods differ substantially. Behin indicated that future focus will shift toward concentrating efforts on specific operational strategies, aiming to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in combating wildfires.