Hazard reduction burn at North Bourke

Crew members l-r back row: Jesse Cochrane, Justin Boney, Tai Gordon, Paul Kelly, Jesse Scott and Robert Elwood-Wilson. Front row: Christopher McHughes, James Sheehan, Sam Canty and Dale Barker Photo TWH

An Indigenous Fire Mitigation crew from NSW Rural Fire Service conducted a controlled burn at Bourke Airport last Thursday.

The burn is part of a training program for local Indigenous Mitigation crews, an initiative of the NSW Rural Fire Service and the local community.

Local crews are nearing completion of an intense training program, and the crews will be based in Bourke and Brewarrina with 4 crew members in each location.

The training programme includes basic firefighter skills, first aid, the use of chainsaws and brush cutters, working at heights, field safety and leadership.

The crews will be working with the communities to reduce fire risk, assist local volunteer brigades with hazard reduction burning and mechanical works for fire breaks.