Rural firies declare busiest bush fire season in years
The NSW Rural Fire Service announced the end of its busiest fire season in years this week.
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said crews responded to more than 14,900 incidents between August and March.
He said almost 600,000 hectares of land were burnt by more than 6,600 fires.
"Throughout the season NSW RFS volunteers have taken time away from their families, jobs and communities to help others," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
"For this they deserve our sincere thanks and gratitude."
Mr Fitzsimmons said it was a tragedy to see two lives lost this fire season; one from heart attack while protecting his property, the other when his waterbombing plane crashed near Ulladulla.
"The loss of both these men was felt deeply by their local community and the NSW RFS community alike," he said.
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