First contingent of NSW firefighters returns home after Victorian bushfire support

Firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) on the way home after assisting Victorian communities affected by recent bushfires. IMAGE: CFA

The first contingent of firefighters from New South Wales has returned home after assisting Victorian communities affected by recent bushfires.

Crews from the NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service worked alongside CFA volunteers, focusing on property protection around Yarck and strengthening containment lines on the Longwood fire.

Strike team leaders said conditions were among the most challenging they had experienced, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and wind gusts reaching up to 80 kilometres an hour.

Firefighters were at times unable to return to accommodation due to fallen trees, blocked roads and hazardous conditions.

Local communities provided shelter and meals when crews were cut off, with the Yarck Hotel becoming a temporary base for both emergency services and residents. The CFA said the generosity shown reflected the strong spirit of rural communities during emergencies.

The CFA thanked the NSW crews for their support, while confirming additional interstate firefighters remain deployed to assist Victorian communities as fire activity continues.