Lynne Mowbray|

Tributes and accolades are flowing, for the outstanding job done by the firefighters on the Shark Creek 2 fire grounds last week.

The community have taken to social media to voice their appreciation, to all our tireless volunteer fire fighters, who put themself at risk to protect their community.

The Shark Creek 2 fire which began last month at Shark Creek covered a total area of 10,932ha, burning out of control and threatening the villages of Shark Creek, Taloumbi, Gulmarrad, Angourie and Wooloweyah and coming close to the coastal village of Brooms Head and Yamba.

At the peak of the fire on Monday last week the RFS had 180 firefighters on the ground, 13 aircraft in the sky (including the 737 aircraft used to drop the pink fire retardant behind the containment lines), heavy plant equipment (dozers), around 50 NSW Fire+ Rescue, 20 National Parks and Wildlife Service and 15-20 Incident management team based at the CV RFS headquarters at Ulmarra. There was the SES, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Clarence Valley Council, Welfare Services (including the Red Cross) and the RFS Catering Unit.

The Yamba Bowling Club (Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba) offered its services as the evacuation Centre in Yamba.

The community also rallied together dropping off meals and donations to the local Rural Fire Brigades.

It’s an early start to the fire season and with such dry conditions and lack of rain, this season is shaping up to be one of the worst on record.

To all our firies, we thank you. The conditions you faced were bad enough without the extremely strong winds, making your job even harder.

Although properties were impacted by the fire and causing damage (with one shed lost), no homes were destroyed.

A huge shout out to everyone involved – you’ve truly done a remarkable job.