Qld firefighters warned of repeat blazes, sinkholes ahead of NSW deployment

A new contingent of Queensland firefighters have been farewelled this morning as they head to NSW to provide relief on the fire front.

COME home: that was the sole order given to Queensland’s rural firefighters ahead of their journey to the New South Wales fire front.

The group of more than 50 volunteers is the second contingent of Rural Fire Service fireys called as reinforcements to the fire ravaged south this bushfire season.

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“Fifty-four Rural Fire Service volunteers departed last Friday, they’re being replaced by another contingent of 50 odd today,” said Commissioner Greg Leach.

“We were concerned about fatigue and that people wouldn’t be available, but when we put out the call the response was overwhelming.”

QFES Commissioner Greg Leach farewells another group of firefighters heading south. Picture: Liam Kidston

For Strike Team leader Michael Welsh the recruitment call represented a chance to give back.

“We had New South Wales, Victorians, Western Australians, South Australians all come up to Queensland to help us when we had our fires,” said Mr Welsh.

“We’re very keen to reciprocate.”

Bec Powell, Tony Shaw, Nick Watson, Philip McCabe, Warren Swinson and Kris Duncan are part of the second deployment. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Queensland firefighters said they were proud to join the fray.

“As firefighters, we know what they’re going through, we’ve seen it ourselves,” said Mr Welsh.

“We feel their pain and we’re here to try and help.

“We’re there to do the firefighting of course, and to raise the spirits.”

The second deployment of Queensland firefighters to NSW at the QFES State Deployment Centre at Morningside. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The Queensland volunteers will assist with backburning, strengthening containment lines until January 10 and bolstering the fire defence in a rare period of calm conditions.

“NSW is experiencing slightly milder conditions over the next couple of days but they’re far from being out of the woods at the moment.”

Eighteen lives have been lost in the New South Wales fires, including three firefighters.

Assistant Commissioner Tony Johnstone warned the Queensland troops of falling timber, sink holes and mercurial flames in his briefing address.

“We’re seeing fires return over burnt ground,” said Mr Johnstone.

“These are different tactics, you make have to do things that you’ve never done before.

“If you’re told to pull out of an area, you pull out.”