Firefighters from Batemans Bay, Narooma and Eden have returned from a week-long deployment, fighting fires on the NSW mid-north coast.
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Forestry Corporation of NSW forest protection manager Karel Zejbrlik said the 17-strong strike team was sent to large fires near Wauchope and Gloucester, as dozens of wildfires broke out in the hot and dry conditions.
Mr Zejbrlik said forestry’s south coast firefighters had extensive experience and were able to bring specialist skills to the fire front, helping to save 45 homes.
He said the unprecedented conditions last week meant the Wauchope fire would have been a lot worse if crews and machinery was not deployed quickly in order to attack and extinguish fires.
“The south coast strike team gave us some of the extra manpower we needed to bring these fires under control,” Mr Zejbrlik said.
“Their specialist skills in managing heavy machinery and back burning was particularly important and welcomed by the local firefighters and property owners.”
