With yesterday marking the end of fire season, it seems NSW Rural Fire Service has already moved on to flood season.
After the calendar passed from March to April, the 2021-22 fire season was capped off with firefighters across the state assisting more with floods than fire.
NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said although this season, like the last, had been a welcome relief in terms of fire activity, volunteers had continued their community support.
“NSW RFS crews and other agencies have responded to 5,465 bush and grass fires this season burning 101,089 hectares across NSW,” he said.
“While the expected risk of grass fires west of the divide did not eventuate, due to increased rainfall, most of the state was spared from significant fire activity, with only three Total Fire Ban days declared.
“This season our members have also attended almost 800 structure fires and more than 3,100 motor vehicle accidents.
“Volunteers have also spent considerable time assisting communities affected by storms and flooding.
“Over recent weeks, in addition to local brigades, NSW RFS members have been deployed from across the state to work in communities such as Lismore, Ballina and the Hawkesbury.
“These Out of Area members and Incident Management specialists have been supporting the NSW SES and providing vital assistance to residents, often being deployed numerous times since the start of this emergency event.”
Commissioner Rogers said while there was some reprieve as water levels dropped and debris and mud was removed, returning rain means there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We have had around 800 members tirelessly working in flood-affected areas each day and specialist crews in our helicopters have conducted 78 flood rescues,” he said.
“Our members will continue to provide support where it is needed.
“While the official fire season may have wrapped up, we are now looking at preparing for the next season, and the heightened threat that increased vegetation will ultimately bring.”
For more stories like this:
- Cessnock RFS receives $1 million makeover
- RFS volunteer named top citizen
- Port Stephens welcomes new RFS station
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