The Tamworth Rural Fire Service sent another group of crews and vehicles to the Dunedoo area on Friday as the battle to contain and clean up the devastating fires that raged through the region last weekend continues.
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Friday morning’s battery of four trucks from the Tamworth service and two from the Liverpool Ranges along with around 30 crew members were the third batch to head out this week and help mop up the remaining hot spots and begin the enormous task of cleaning up.
Operations Officer Inspector Steve Prior said the crews go on a three day rotation and have been joined by fellow crews from all over the state.
“While it is all but contained we still have 36 degree days and 30-50km/h winds that can easily cause flare-ups,” Mr Prior said.
“It is taking a mighty effort to mop up and black out the perimeter areas and edges as far as we can.”
The State Wide Assistance Plan has seen crews and vehicles coming from as far away as the north coast, the northern tablelands and Sydney come to assist in the local efforts.
“Any regions that can spare them at the time send them out to help mop up,” Mr Prior said.
“They do house to house property protection as an urgency and help out wherever they can because it can be difficult with one crew covering 220km of perimeter.”
The Tamworth crews are expected back on Sunday night.
Meanwhile the RFS is also sending up reconnaissance planes to help spot and identify potential fires and fire danger, specifically from lightning strikes with so many dry storms sweeping through the north of the state.