A wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft are used to support fire operations. Aircraft are selected for individual tasks based on their suitability for the task and their cost effectiveness.

Larger helicopters are most often used for firebombing and crew transportation, whilst smaller helicopters are more often used for command and control, mapping and aerial ignition.

Fixed-wing aircraft that are used for firebombing tend to be of the larger agricultural-style, specially modified for firebombing. These aircraft are sometimes referred to as SEATs (Single-Engined Air Tankers). This type of aircraft particularly suits the conditions most often encountered in Australia where there are relatively few long paved runways, but plenty of agricultural airstrips. Larger fixed-wing aircraft have been used where appropriate and cost-effective.

Aircraft undertake a host of valuable support tasks, including:

• Firebombing – the dropping of water, foam or fire retardant slurries on, or in front of the fire to reduce or halt the spread of the fire
• Rapid delivery of firefighters to remote areas by rappelling or winching
• Fire detection, reconnaissance and mapping, including with highly sophisticated infra-red sensors
• Command, communications and control
• Transportation of firefighters and equipment
• Aerial ignition – dropping of approved incendiary devices to ignite backburns or prescribed fuel reduction burns.
  

The Air Attack Supervisor for a fire incident will assess the situation and decide what will be the most effective approach for that particular situation. The aircraft may drop water, Class A foam or retardant.

• Water is only used when there can be a very quick turnaround – this is normally the province of helicopters that can re-fill themselves while hovering over a nearby water source. Water is applied directly to the fire.

• Class A foam, or bushfire fighting foam, is somewhat akin to a detergent. It is added to the load of water in a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft.  Class A Foam is applied directly to the fire.

• Retardant is a slurry, with a similar consistency to tomato soup, that contains mainly water and high-grade ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulphate (as are commonly used in agricultural fertilisers). The retardant is laid ahead of the fire and coats the fuel (leaves, twigs and bark etc) on the ground. As the fire burns into the coated fuel a chemical reaction occurs and this effectively retards the fire.