BULAHDELAH is set for the upcoming fire season with a brand new crew signed on to assist.

MidCoast Mayor David West handed over the RFS facilities to Hunter District Manager Paul Best on Thursday in preparation for the upcoming heatwave.

Mr Best said, “Only yesterday I had the pleasure of emailing each and every one of the crew behind me and offering them an extension for another (twelve months), a total of two years, finishing in June 2022, so more good news there for the local community.”

With the weather too hot for more burn-offs in the coming weeks, the Mitigation Crew will join the current Bulahdelah brigade to protect people and property across the Myall Coast.

When announcing the collaboration, Mayor West thanked the crew for their commitment.

“I wish to really thank you on behalf of the 93,000 (residents of Midcoast council) the service that you’ve given to this community,” he said.

Without the work they carry out, “Residents could never exist in what is turning out to be a very dangerous environment as a result of changes in weather conditions,” he said.

When looking forward to the work the mitigation crew will do this fire season, Cr West expected conditions almost as severe as last year.

“We’re coming into a summer, on the face of it with what’s outside now, is going to be almost as bad as last year’s”
It’s not over, our area is extremely dry. We’re coming into a very hot summer,” he said, “unfortunately one of the problems we’ve had with our fires is that people haven’t been prepared.”

RFS representatives and Council are urging residents to be more prepared than last year to avoid tragedy.

“When the fire is coming it’s too late to scream out ‘help we should’ve mowed the lawn – you should’ve mowed the lawn before you get there.”

 

By Samuel BARTLETT