Our Role in Fire Response
When activated by FENZ, Skyfarmers aircraft operate as aerial suppression assets - deployed to support ground crews in containing and managing wildfires across the South Island.
Our turbine Air Tractor aircraft, familiar with operating in the demanding and varied terrain of Canterbury and beyond, are well-suited to this work.
​
Agricultural aviation and fire operations share many of the same operational demands: low-level flying, variable terrain, rapidly changing conditions, and the need for precise, consistent load delivery under pressure. The skills, aircraft capability, and local terrain knowledge our pilots bring to every agricultural job translate directly into effective fire support.
Over more than four decades of operation, Skyfarmers has been called on to support many of the South Island's large fire events. This accumulated experience - knowing the terrain, understanding how to operate effectively within FENZ coordination structures, and flying safely in high-pressure environments - is an important part of what we bring to every activation.
​
Our Aircraft
​
Fire-fighting operations are carried out using our turbine Air Tractor fleet - the same aircraft we use for topdressing and spraying. Both aircraft are powered by 750hp Pratt & Whitney turbine engines.
