Elvis, an Erickson Air-Crane fire-bombing helicopter, at Wangaratta airport yesterday before it was deployed to Wagga. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK
ELVIS was ready to soar to the Border’s rescue yesterday.
But the Erickson Air-Crane fire bomber simply was not needed.
For five hours the helicopter, which can carry more than 9000 litres of water or foam, was on standby at Wangaratta airport.
It did eventually make it into the air, when it was deployed to Wagga to support firefighting efforts at Tarcutta just after 4pm.
When the helicopter arrived, two of the four smaller fire bombers at Wagga were sent to other fires in NSW and the ACT.
“We’re here if they need us,” air attack team supervisor Barry Scott said at 7pm.