SAFA Skysailor Magazine

25 AUTUMN 2026 | March-April-May SKY SAILOR rapidly, generating their own weather and expanding their areas of concern. A few days later, a third fire ignited in the high country south of Bright – our anxiety grew. While it seemed unlikely that any of the fires would reach Bright itself, their impact on our tasking area had to be taken seriously. We needed to avoid interfering with firefighting aircraft, ensure we weren’t adding pressure to emergency services, and consider the potential for smoke‑ related visibility issues. Fortunately, the wealth of real‑time information available online – particularly through the bushfire.io app – allowed us to closely monitor fire fronts and track the movements of firefighting aircraft. With this data, we were able to consult with police and share our concerns. The firefighters worked relentlessly, and as the fronts were gradually suppressed, we gained confidence that we still had enough safe, taskable terrain to proceed. The change of dates and the uncertainty surrounding the bushfires led to a no- ticeable drop in pilot numbers this year, with almost a third fewer competitors than usual. Although regrettable, it didn’t take anything away from the standard of racing – the level of competition remained All photos: Heidi Krueger