Despite 21 years of flying experience and many battles, aerial firefighter Dave Leoni still gets nervous when he's scrambling to get airborne over a blaze.
"You're always waiting for that call," he said.
"You get the call, and you don't know where [the fire] is, what's involved, the hazards involved, the people at risk.
"You still get it, still have nerves until you're up working and you've assessed the situation."
Mr Leoni and his "line" chopper, which carries 1,000 litres of water in a bucket under a long cable, was just one of the many firefighters and support crew that helped contain the Crater Lakes fire in Mount Gambier last week.
The pilot, who operates the Green Triangle Fire Alliance's recently acquired B2 Squirrel helicopter out of Casterton in southwest Victoria, was in the air less than 15 minutes after "the call" from the Country Fire Service (CFS).
Working with both CFS and Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) crews on the ground, Mr Leoni flew 87 sorties in eight hours.
He said he was part of a combined effort with the B2 helicopter acting as air support to the fixed-wing aircraft that were honing in on spot fires and ember outbreaks.
"The bombers can go through and lay a blanket of water," he said.
"The helicopters can then come through and work with [the bombers] against any spot fires where it's trying to spread … we can get onto it pretty quickly.
"And with the 100-foot line, you can drop it down in between the trees and be very accurate with a water drop."
Green Triangle Fire Alliance general manager Anthony Walsh said the helicopter's ability to use water sources so close to the fire made it extremely useful.
Chopper supports firefighters on ground
Mount Gambier residents witnessed this firsthand as the B2 used the Valley Lakes, at the base of the fire, to refill its bucket.
The Crater Lakes fire burnt through 50 hectares of land but fortunately, no injuries or damage to property was reported.
The historic Centenary Tower was not affected by the fire.
Green Triangle timber companies contracted the B2 Squirrel to support its 300 trained plantation industry firefighters.
"This helicopter provides a further layer of support to our Forest Industry Brigades that work tirelessly over the summer months to not only defend our forest estate, but to protect our broader communities," Mr Walsh said.
