Firefighters are scrambling to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season in NSW after wet weather and floods severely hampered backburning.
The state government has committed an extra $10 million for 100 more NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crew to speed up their "critical work" ahead of the upcoming bushfire season, saying just 20 per cent of planned burns were completed.
Fire authorities are urging residents to prepare for a drier summer after three wet years spurred vegetation growth.
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said the "return of dry, windy conditions" meant teams were needed "out there doing hazard reduction burns at every opportunity".
“There is plenty more to be done and this boost in mitigation personnel will enable even more vital work to be undertaken," Mr Rogers said.
The new firefighters would be based mainly in regional NSW and carry out duties such as preparing trails, establishing control lines, and assisting with weekday burns when volunteers were scarce, the state government said in announcing the funding on Monday.
The roles would include a mix of casual and temporary positions.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib conceded a "significant backlog in hazard reduction burns" statewide.
"We need to accelerate our efforts heading into the next fire season and these additional crews will help make a difference,” Mr Dib said.
“It is important to plan ahead and come up with a proactive approach to maximise our narrow window for hazard reduction, as a result of unfavourable weather conditions."
The Bureau of Meteorology has declared an alert for an El Nino weather event, which lifts risk of drought, heatwaves and bushfires.
