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There will be conversations from all levels of government as a result of the fire emergency, the mayor says.
The Rural Fire Service is drawing on the skills of around 3000 firefighters in the field statewide with local crews supported by intrastate, interstate and international crews.
A state of emergency was declared in NSW for seven days from Monday (November 11).
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said: "There's going to be a lot of really good conversations coming from all levels of government after this.
"Our whole state has been affected.
"To have the Premier and Prime Minister have their thoughts turned squarely onto how our bush land and forests are managed, it's an important conversation we need to have.
"At the moment, we are still in an emergency and let's not forget that."
Cr Pinson described the Rural Fire Service firefighters as our community heroes.
"We are all absolutely in awe of the work they have done," she said.
"They have been really selfless. They have families, business and jobs and they have laid it all down to protect us."
Cr Pinson praised our community for rallying together from donations to assist our firefighters to those taking in animals and just the general kindness shown.
"It has just been a wonderful example of humanity," she said.
Cr Pinson also recognised the community's fire preparedness.
"There is a great lesson from what is going on at the moment," she said.
"Through this time of upheaval, we've certainly learnt a lot and complacency has gone right out the window as far as the community is concerned."
Cr Pinson said community members had been very active in understanding what needed to be done, preparing their homes and listening to the alerts.
"I think our community has responded extremely well under the circumstances," she said.
"I'm so very proud of this community."
Bushfires in the immediate Port Macquarie-Hastings area are either at watch and act or advice level after extreme fire conditions on Tuesday (November 12).
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