FIREFIGHTERS deployed from across the New England North West have spent their first day on the firegrounds, battling the massive infernos on the South Coast.
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The crews from Tamworth and West Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armidale and Narrabri make up the Strike Force Victor team.
The team spent New Year's Eve at the emergency services academy base in Orchard Hills on Tuesday night before they were deployed to Nowra on Wednesday morning.
Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed the strike team had been posted to John Street, Basin View.
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The firefighters were set to battle the Currowan fire, which was located about 1km west of the stationary point on Wednesday morning.
Despite the deadly toll the fires claimed on Tuesday, crews reported the fire conditions had eased considerably on Wednesday with temperatures in the low 20s and low-level winds in the day.
The firefighters said they had been "positioned to protect life and property when the fire reaches this residential area".
The crews have been deployed to the South Coast on a five-day deployment with the RFS bracing for worsening conditions on Saturday.
Local firefight continues near Hanging Rock
Meanwhile, the fire-fight continues back home with the RFS working to backburn areas in and around Hanging Rock.
Community meetings were held in the village, along with Nundle, on New Year's Eve to brief residents on the threat of the Pearson's Trail and Pages Creek fires, which are on either side of the village.
Hot temperatures and low humidity have spurred the fires but on Wednesday the RFS said the back burns that were put in on New Year's Eve night were "effective and are currently holding".
The RFS said there was no current threat to the Hanging Rock village and crews were working on fall back containment lines, to strengthen the firefight.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
