Fires continue to burn across NSW, and our Mid Lachlan Valley Team Rural Fire Service staff and volunteers continue to serve on the firegrounds particularly in the north.
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Volunteers and appliances from across the Central West have maintained a presence in the north for more than two months now, and a number of staff have also been deployed.
In addition to firefighting efforts, volunteers have gone to Kempsey to work in radio communications.
Local RFS Chaplain Andrew Hunt recently travelled to Glen Innes to support RFS members and members of the communities who have been devastated by the horrendous fires. Many people have lost everything including homes, livestock and property.
Cameron Bird has served a number of deployments to Glen Innes, where devastating fires have claimed lives and burned out thousands of hectares.
He was working in the aviation section, flying over the fires conducting reconnaissance and mapping.
"The main thing I have taken out of recent deployments is the sheer scale of the fires," Mr Bird said. "The size of the fires is just unbelievable with huge amounts of bushland and many communities impacted."
Mid Lachlan Valley Team staff members Angus Nielsen, Beth Slender, Jock Corcoran have also undertaken shifts on the northern firegrounds, working in roles such as response team coordination and operations.
Acting Manager of Mid Lachlan Valley Team, Inspector Robyn Favelle, praised the efforts of the local volunteers and staff, and acknowledged the ongoing support from other local fire and emergency services personnel, including National Parks, Forestry Corporation, Fire & Rescue NSW, SES and LLS.
Local government representatives from Forbes, Parkes, Weddin and Lachlan councils have also been quick to offer assistance and support to the RFS and this has been very much appreciated.
Typically the northern fire season would start to ease now as the rains followed the hot weather.
As that hasn't happened, the Mid Lachlan Valley Team's commitment to support firefighting efforts will be ongoing and they ask for vigilance and quick reporting of any unattended fires in this region.
RFS volunteers are being supported by firefighters and specialists from across Australia and NZ.
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