Bringing new tools to the table: aerial burning on Ngaanyatjarra Lands

With over 2.7 million square kilometres (about 35% of Australia) of land to care for, ranger teams are critical to keeping right way fire programs burning in the desert. Ranger teams across the desert are undertaking training for new skills to work across remote areas, travelling large distances. Much of desert country is hard to reach, with no roads and limited car access. This makes the landscape challenging to burn from the ground. 

For hard to reach areas, ranger teams need to be able to "bring new tools to the table," as Ngaanyatjarra ranger Brett Jennings said – which is why over the course of a week in May, 15 desert rangers came together on Ngaanyatjarra lands to undertake training in aerial burning practices.

Throughout the week the rangers learnt the theory and assessment work, to gain an understanding of how to conduct aerial burning safely and practically. While the course was delivered in English, Ngaanyatjarra rangers Brett "BJ" Jennings, Leroy Dawson and Patrick Reid assisted in explaining key aspects in Ngaanyatjarra language to make sure everybody had a good understanding.

After that, they took to the skies, with each ranger undertaking a dummy run of an aerial burn. Following the careful instruction of trainer Brett, and communicating with the pilot, Kat, the rangers successfully demonstrated how they'd operate the machine in a real aerial burn. The desert now has 15 more certified aerial burning experts to help reach those difficult to get to places, letting them bring more right way fire into country. 

The Southern Deserts Right Way Fire Project is supported through funding from the Western Australian Government's Aboriginal Ranger Program.