Drones, planes and choppers on the hunt for bushfires ignited by lightning

As the temperature climbs to a predicted peak of about 40C on Saturday, local fire services are piloting planes, drones and helicopters over North Shore and Northern Beaches bushland in search of fires that may have been ignited by lightning.

In more remote areas such as the Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal national parks, lightning strikes mean bushfires can start without being noticed by locals.

“We do have thunderstorms predicted to occur over the next couple of days and we have had thunderstorms recently,” Rural Fire Service Superintendent Gary Hansen told the Lorikeet.

On Monday, Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade responded to a fire in bushland west of Elanora Heights. With the help of crews from other local brigades, the blaze was extinguished. While investigations into the cause continue, the RFS suspects it was triggered by a lightning strike.

Hansen said North Shore fire brigades have been checking equipment is in good working order, stocking trucks and identifying the local areas at greatest risk.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore, this could be the worst sustained stretch of extreme heat since the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–2020.

Hansen said that while the temperatures may be similar, predicted winds aren’t as strong, which should lessen the bushfire risk.

Thumbnail: NSW Rural Fire Service, Ingleside Brigade