scone.com.auFrom the Fire Front
THERE were hopes the thunderstorm last night would have brought more rain than lightening to douse the flames in Kempsey, said Dave Coe, captain of the Kingdon Ponds Rural Bush Fire Brigade.
Deputy Group Captain Ron Bradley from Merriwa and Captain David Coe from Scone.
“There was only one or two mils of rain in it last night,” said Mr Coe.
“So they did some more back burning and we’re just on our way in to try and deepen the back burn they did and make sure some of the houses are alright and monitor the fire today,” he said.
“Around lunchtime things could get a little erratic with the winds, but the rain is supposed to be coming this afternoon,” David Coe said.
David said the local team has had some hectic pressured moments since arriving to provide support on Monday, but enjoy supporting other brigades.
“It’s difficult when it was hectic there have been a few times where we have had to fall back to another line because the fire caught up to us and we had to fall back to the next line,” he said.
“But it is always good to meet new people, experience the stories of others and work with other agencies with fire and rescue, national parks and wildlife, the SES and everyone works together,” he said.
David Coe also said he held concerns for the fire season in the Upper Hunter this year.
“It’s not going to be real good, it’s probably going to be a late season and when we do have it, it’s not going to be real good I don’t think,” David Coe said.
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Peter Holland from Merriwa River, Natalie Haydon and Rod Bibby from Cassilis, Dave Faulks from Wingen and Don McLean from the Kingdon Ponds brigade.