NSW Farmers' commends landholders and other volunteers for their commitment working alongside the Rural Fire Service to support their neighbours.
They have given their time and used their knowledge to protect other properties, sometimes over their own.
That they continue to do so under these extreme and chaotic conditions is a credit to their dedication to their communities.
The drought has set the scene for a challenging fire season, contributing to an early start and hampering the ability to prepare.
A key challenge facing firefighters is access to already scarce water.
We acknowledge the efforts to preserve water where possible and that water is being made available from on-farm dams.
This is a difficult but selfless decision. Thank you to the landholders for this generosity.
Working with communities to rebuild and overcome these difficult times will be the association's priority.
Cleaning up and clearing debris, supporting farmers and key agencies to deliver good animal welfare outcomes, restoring fencing and farm assets will be a priority.
We know the importance of supporting communities in need.
For those who have lost homes or livelihood the Australian government has emergency cash payments.
Organisations including Lifeline and Beyond Blue are available to help face each day.
The Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services and the RSPCA will be there to support farmers.
As the fires clear, charities including the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and Blaze Aid will be there to help rebuild.
When the fires are brought under control will be the time to seek answers for the scale of devastation and investigate improvements on how densely forested and inaccessible land is managed.
But right now, our focus is on keeping communities safe and supporting those who have lost loved ones, their homes, animals or their livelihood.
- Peter Arkel is NSW Farmers chief executive.
