Rural fire service volunteers are having a well-earned rest after a weekend of torrid bushfires engulfed much of the eastern seaboard.
Fires cut the Pacific Highway at Karuah and at Kundabung south of Kempsey while the Oxley Highway was temporarily closed around Sancrox and Spencers’ Cutting.
Rural Fire Service superintendent district manager Kam Baker said volunteer crews were ‘doing all right’.
“The volunteer crews attended to 25 individual incidents on the weekend and we have managed to contain them all very quickly,” the superintendent said.
“Specifically, the Oxley Highway at Sancrox fire cut the highway but our crews were able to get around it very quickly.
“That fire is now a watch and act.
“The volunteers are pretty tired and trying to rest up today. Although we are expecting a spike day on Tuesday again.”
Supt Baker said local crews had providing assistance to the Kempsey and Karuah fires over the weekend.
He praised all rural fire service crews for their magnificent job in protecting their communities.
“An absolute huge thank you to all these crews,” he added.
Supt Baker urged all community members to check their daily fire dangers in their respective areas and to check the live traffic app for the latest updates.
“I would urge everyone to be aware of the fire dangers in your area and to revisit your bushfire survival plans,” he said.
