|
|
|
|
|
5 December 2025
|
Waterbomber crashes en route to bushfire; crews battle bushfire as temperatures soar in Victoria, Australia
|
|
A pilot has been injured after their firebomber aircraft crashed while taking off on the way to fight a fire on Thursday, 4 December 2025. The aircraft crashed and caught alight at the Linga airbase about 60 kilometres west of the small farming town of Ouyen. The aircraft was a single engine air tanker (SEAT), which was providing operational support on a fire at Patchewollock. The aircraft was on fire as a result of the accident.
The pilot safely evacuated the aircraft and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
According to the Aviation Safety Network the aircraft has been deemed a write-off. The incident will be subject to an investigation.
Meanwhile the Mallee is going through its second straight day of a total fire ban. The fire danger rating for the Mallee is listed as extreme, with Mildura tipped to head for a top of 38 again.
Three homes have been damaged by a bushfire which spread east of Wangaratta in the state's north-east. A Watch and Act warning remains in place for residents of Markwood where the fire continues to burn out of control.
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said crews were battling tough conditions to try to get a handle on the fire.
Emergency services were called to numerous other bushfires across the state on Thursday, including at Raywood and Myola near Bendigo and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula.
It is a vast difference from Monday, when Victoria endured its coldest summer day in nearly 30 years and snow blanketed the state's alpine regions.Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the cold front that moved through the state on Sunday and Monday had now moved into the Tasman Sea.
Sources: Vic Emergency, The Guardian, ABC News
The pilot safely evacuated the aircraft and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
According to the Aviation Safety Network the aircraft has been deemed a write-off. The incident will be subject to an investigation.
Meanwhile the Mallee is going through its second straight day of a total fire ban. The fire danger rating for the Mallee is listed as extreme, with Mildura tipped to head for a top of 38 again.
Three homes have been damaged by a bushfire which spread east of Wangaratta in the state's north-east. A Watch and Act warning remains in place for residents of Markwood where the fire continues to burn out of control.
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said crews were battling tough conditions to try to get a handle on the fire.
Emergency services were called to numerous other bushfires across the state on Thursday, including at Raywood and Myola near Bendigo and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula.
It is a vast difference from Monday, when Victoria endured its coldest summer day in nearly 30 years and snow blanketed the state's alpine regions.Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the cold front that moved through the state on Sunday and Monday had now moved into the Tasman Sea.
Sources: Vic Emergency, The Guardian, ABC News