Sound of 'Elvis' music to the ears

By Grant Holloway
CNN

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- The ground literally shakes when "Elvis" the water-bombing helicopter passes overhead.

The Erikson Air-Crane Helitanker and its 9,000 liter payload of water has been crucial in saving Sydney suburban homes as the city suffers its worst-ever bush fire catastrophe.

Yesterday afternoon, the aircraft, which is leased by the Victorian state government from Canadian fire authorities made repeated runs over the suburbs of North Epping and South Turramurra as the latest blaze threatened homes in these northern suburbs.

For this reporter, the sound of the giant water-bomber -- affectionately nicknamed "Elvis" by Sydneysiders -- flying over the roof of my own home bordering North Epping was music to the ears.

Up until New Year's Day, Sydney's bush fires had been smelt more than seen as a heavy layer of smoke from fires on the city outskirts drifted over the center of town.

But that all changed yesterday when a suspicious fire broke out in the bushland reserve of Pennant Hills Park.

Looking north-west from CNN's bureau high in a North Sydney office tower, I could see a pall of smoke and fire erupt near the leafy suburb where I live, about 20 kilometers from the city center.

As I headed homewards, my wife and friends who were staying with us for the holiday season sprung into action, cleaning out the gutters of the house and filling them with water.

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The roof was hosed down and tree branches overhanging the house were chopped down.

Whether it would be enough save a timber house surrounded by trees was debatable, but it felt better to be doing something.

Nearby neighbors with swimming pools tied towels around their letterboxes to indicate to fire crews that a source of water was available if required.

Streets to the north and west of ours were evacuated while others were put on standby.

By early evening it was clear the fire front had passed about one kilometer to the north of us and had headed west into adjoining suburbs and was threatening to break into the Lane Cove National Park.

Elvis, and a team of smaller helicopters, moved on to deal with that threat, indicating the crisis, for us at least, had passed.

But with the suburban fires still burning amid continuing hot, dry conditions and gusty winds Wednesday, Elvis and the thousands of volunteer fire crew on the ground could be facing their greatest challenges yet.