Ian Aitken who, on Friday, November 22, warned in this publication that the 1994 fire, which swept from the back of Mogo to the Coast via Catalina, Lilli Pilli and Surf Beach, could easily be repeated.

Every firefighter and supporter from whatever agency, paid or unpaid, who has helped in this month-long crisis, in Currowan, the Clyde Mountain, the Deua Valley, Dampier State Forest and right down the coast.

The patient firefighters whose task it is to update websites, maps and the media about conditions. Fielding a storm of media inquiries in the midst of a firestorm in your hometown is not easy. Thanks to Marty Webster, Mark Williams, Phil Paterson, Kelwyn White, Jesse Tonge, Ian Aitken, Craig Mashman, Paul Lyons, Julian Armstrong and all the others who have kept our community informed.

The families who keep those firefighters in fighting shape.

The people behind the lines who are feeding, watering and looking after their safety.

All the staff at aged care centres who have worked long hours in place of those who could not get to work. Their work is hard in optimal conditions, let alone without power for lighting, refrigerators, hot water etc.

Everyone supporting anxious children through evacuation, loss and fear.

Harvey and Emma Doberer at Petstock who provided free food for evacuated pets. Their family had faced the terror of fire racing through Kauzal Crescent, Surf Beach, but still kept helping others.

Anyone who is helping at evacuation centres, including vets Kate Toyer and Tara Cashman.

Subway staff who kept serving food to an ever-growing queue as the fire approached. Supermarkets had closed.

All those such as Robyn and Sean Carey, of Sunshine Bay, who checked on friends in the firing line.

Police, SES, Marine Rescue, paramedics, nurses, doctors.

Traffic controllers dealing with tired, fearful and frustrated motorists.

Anyone who has opened their door to a newly homeless person.

WIRES Mid-South Coast who are distributed free food for wildlife to property owners with hungry kangaroos, wallabies, birds etc nearby.

Add to this list: community.eurobodalla@austcommunitymedia.com.au