ON Sunday Brad Plum was back home at his Borambola property in southern NSW.
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Mr Plum is one of the deputy captains with the Borambola Rural Fire Service (RFS) and saw first-hand the devastation being caused by the Dunns Road Fire, which had burnt out 271,057 hectares by Sunday afternoon.
Although conditions calmed somewhat on Sunday he said it could take weeks or months to extinguish the fire and he's hoping some rain will arrive soon.
"It was pretty horrendous the way it crowned and the speed in which it moved," he said.
Mr Plum commended the work of his fellow members of the RFS and said resources and communication were excellent.
"Communication is very important on the fire ground that is what keeps us all knowing where the fire is going and what resources can be used," he said.
He said the fires, currently being experienced, were due to a combination of fuel load, heat and the windy conditions.
With the challenging conditions on Saturday he said there were hard decisions to be made by RFS members as to whether they fight fires or stay and defend their own place against potential blazes. Like many fellow RFS members he has a farm and livestock to look after as well.
"If you wait for it to come to you it's too late ... you haven't got a chance to cut it off," he said.
"If you leave it until it gets down here there is more property at stake and more lives at stake," he said.
Mr Plum said a combination of fire fighting (from the ground), air support and earth moving equipment (including graders) were being used on the Dunns Road Fire.
However, he conceded smoky conditions made it difficult to rely on air support.
To keep tankers filled bulk water deliveries organised through RFS and Wagga City Council have been transported into the region to keep tankers full.
"It is a big logistical exercise but it has been well organised," he said.
Meanwhile, as part of a management plan for displaced cattle landholders can access traveling stock reserves (TSRs) for a period of seven days at no cost.
It is a temporary measure for cattle affected by fires.
Landholders who have had property burnt or who may have to be evacuated are eligible. At this stage this measure is for cattle only.
Due to the conditions on the eastern side of the Riverina Local Land Services region one drop off point has been allocated to ensure the safety of livestock is paramount.
Cattle should be delivered to the Bomen Reserve next to the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre.
Stock will then be drafted and distributed to reserves that are well clear from the fire zone and have adequate feed and water.
For details contact TSR Ranger Mitch Eastlake on 0427 201 175 before delivering stock.