The state government will lease a massive water-bombing helicopter known as Elvis to help fight bushfires this season following a devastating blaze that destroyed 72 homes in the Perth Hills in February.
The aircraft, made famous for its highly visible involvement in bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales, is considered to be one of the most valuable fire fighting tools.
It is capable of dropping 9500 litres of water in a single load - more than double the capacity of the Type 1 water bomber and nine times the amount of the smaller Helitac water bomber, which the state presently relies on.
Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson and Environment Minister Bill Marmion announced this morning the trial of Elvis was part of a $6.25 million-funding boost that would make the state better resourced than during any previous fire season.
This season was expected to be one of the worst on record, he said.
The spending spree also includes five new fire-fighting appliances that will be brought from Japan in time for the North-West bushfire season, which starts in June.
In the meantime, four aircraft that were previously slated for decommissioning will be refurbished for use during the summer fire season.
Elvis, officially called an Erikson Skycrane, will be borrowed from Victoria, which owns two of the helicopters. Mr Johnson said the states' bushfire seasons differed, allowing WA to use the second helicopter.
The federal government would share the $3.8 million cost of trial Elvis with the cost shared with the federal government.
Mr Johson admitted the trial was directly related to a scathing report into the Roleystone-Kelmscott fire in February, in which former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty criticised fire fighting operations during the fire and cooperation between authorities.
The helicopter would be available in early December.
Mr Johnson said the additional resources would be spread across the metropolitan area, as well as the North-West and South-West of the state, depending on the fire season.
"While the use of this aircraft and new appliances will reduce the fire risk to life and property, the community must also take responsibility and ensure their properties are well prepared and they have a survival plan," Mr Johnson said.
Mr Marmion said the Elvis trial was a welcome boost in bushfire suppression this season. The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority would evaluate its effectiveness before the government considered its future use.
"This aircraft will enhance our aerial fleet in its key role to support our ground crews to protect lives and property and will ensure we are better equipped to respond to major bushfires," Mr Marmion said.
The state's existing aerial fleet includes two Type 1 waterbombers, capable of dumping 4000 litres each, four Helitac waterbombers (1000 litres), eight fixed wing aircraft (3000 litres), nine spotter aircraft, and an aerial intelligence helicopter.
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