Beth Miley is based at the Bench Helibase near Madras, a temporary base where firefighting helicopters land, refuel, load equipment and receive instructions before heading out to support crews on the ground.
Her deployment has seen her support operations on the Bench Fire, which has burned through grass, shrubs and forest country, as well as the Castle Fire in south-west Oregon and the Round Butte Fire, about eight kilometres west of the Madras airbase.
As a helibase manager, Beth is responsible for helping co-ordinate the helicopters and crews supporting firefighters on the ground.
The aircraft can be used for a range of tasks, including dropping water on fires, transporting crews into difficult-to-reach areas and responding rapidly to new fire starts.
Beth said conditions had been challenging, with the region experiencing near-record temperatures and very low humidity.
“Low humidity means the air is extremely dry, which can make grass, shrubs and trees easier to burn,” Beth said.
The dry conditions have also created challenges at the helibase itself, with dust making it more difficult for aircraft to safely operate.
“We’re using water trucks to spray water on the dusty ground around the helibase to help keep dust down so helicopters can land, take off and operate more safely,” she said.
The heat and dry conditions are not the only challenges crews face, with local dogs also occasionally finding their way into the helibase.
“We spend a bit of time shooing them away, so they stay safe and don’t get too close to the aircraft,” Beth said.
Beth manages a range of helicopters, from large Type 1 aircraft capable of carrying significant amounts of water to smaller and faster Type 3 helicopters used to respond quickly to new fires.
The operation also includes a crane helicopter, sometimes known as an air crane or sky crane, which is designed to lift heavy loads and carry large amounts of water for firefighting.
One recent incident brought home just how critical it is to have aircraft on standby and ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Beth deployed a Type 3 helicopter and an air crane to a new fire near Round Butte, where the rapid aerial response helped firefighters contain the blaze to about four acres.
“With the weather we’re experiencing, that was a great save,” Beth said.
Beth’s deployment is part of a broader effort involving Australian firefighters supporting wildfire operations in North America.
Forty-three highly trained Australian firefighters are taking their specialist skills to the United States to help tackle the ongoing wildfire crisis.
For Beth, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of family, friends and colleagues back in Cohuna — the people who made it possible for her to bring her expertise to the world stage during one of North America’s most demanding fire seasons.
