After 240 days of fire activity, the NSW RFS have declared that there are currently no active bush or grass fires in the state.
This update comes just a few weeks after the organisation released a statement that all the fires were contained.
Sweet relief: the NSW RFS announced over Twitter last night that for the first time in 8 months, there are no bushfires burning in NSW.
NSW’s Bureau of Meteorology has forecast up to 100mm of rain in western NSW over the next 8 days. Looks like a soggy weekend ahead, but farmers couldn’t be happier. NSW’s last rainfall stopped just short of where the fires were burning, despite its epic volume.
The fires had been raging since early July 2019, unleashing suffocating plumes of smoke and causing devastation to thousands of homes, as well as families and native wildlife. The lives of 25 people have been lost since October, including some volunteer firefighters.
This time the rain should fall where they need it most. The forecast from @BOM_NSW over the next 8 days has possible falls up to 100mm in western #NSW. The smiles are slowly getting bigger. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/nc2hIg5Y1B
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) March 2, 2020
Last month, the NSW RFS put up a massive billboard in Times Square, New York. “Imagine fighting a bushfire higher than this billboard,” the screen read, as flames surround the text. The billboard was donated by local advertising agencies and the RFS used it to thank its Australian and American volunteers.
The @NSWRFS has put up a massive billboard in New York’s Times Square to thank its volunteers for their efforts. 👏👏#9News https://t.co/PA42tOJ6eG
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 19, 2020
“It’s been a mammoth effort from firefighters from all agencies, across all states and territories, and from the US, Canada and NZ,” the RFS said in a statement.
Bushfire relief efforts are still underway, with fundraisers and huge charity events happening across Australia and beyond.
For the first time since early July 2019, there is currently no active bush or grass fires in #NSW. That’s more than 240 days of fire activity for the state. #nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/NpjF3lAHKa
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) March 2, 2020
