We recognise and thank the Rural Fire Service, other emergency services, and Essential Energy, who all did such a brave and selfless job in extreme, physically challenging circumstances. You are wonderful.

There were 480 fire service volunteers involved in our area, local and from across NSW. The heat was already horrendous – over 50c in places - but more so for anyone near the fires.

There are many terrifying stories of how quickly the fires erupted and travelled, leaving people struggling to defend property or escape to safety. But thanks to our courageous service personnel, no human lives were lost.

For the first time in recorded memory the town of Beechwood was under threat – a reminder no one is guaranteed safety and every household should have an emergency preparedness plan in place. Nothing about the situation was good, but it was truly inspiring to see local people rally together.

It was a time when Facebook came into its own, enabling people to communicate quickly whether they already knew each other or not. Apart from individuals, special mention to Wauchope Showground, Wauchope Vets, Timbertown Resort and Motel, Wauchope Rural Centre, Pappinbarra Progress Association, Beechwood Public School, Beechwood Hotel, Hastings Co-op and Port Macquarie Pay-It-Forward, who all jumped in from the off. Wauchope Gazette kept everyone in the loop with tremendous coverage. Thanks Letitia.

You can express gratitude to local firies in ways like putting a thank you sign on your fence, donating to the RFS and, most importantly, by becoming a Rural Fire Service volunteer in your area. Please consider donating to help those people affected by this tragedy. These are Cr Intemann’s opinions and not necessarily council’s.