Local food outlets have stepped up to support exhausted firefighters battling bushfires in Tasmania’s south-east, as the emergency situation now begins to ease.
Liv Eat Sorell joined community support efforts when staff members noticed unsold food could help those on the front lines at Nugent on Monday night.
“My daughter was working tonight at Liv Eat Sorell and noticed a lot of food that didn’t sell today and wanted to bag it up and donate it to all the local firefighters,” said Amanda Joy Smith, parent of staff member Sienna.
Smith and her husband added bottled water and donuts to the donation, saying they were in awe of their “amazing job helping save homes, livestock and more”.
“They looked exhausted and shocked that we did that! It shouldn’t be a shock, we should continue to support the very people who are supporting our community,” Smith said.
“Thank you to my daughter Sienna and her workmate Lauren for her thoughts and idea to offer support along with Ben, the owner of Liv Eat Sorell.”
The Buckland Store had earlier provided discounted lunches for volunteer firefighters and announced plans for ongoing support.
“We’ve always believed in putting our community before profits and we’re proud to support the people who help keep things running smoothly,” the store told Pulse.
They revealed plans to donate $1,000 to the local firefighters brigade on November 1, along with a local church fundraiser for the brigade.
The Tasmania Fire Service downgraded the Nugent bushfire to a “Watch and Act” warning around 7pm Monday, allowing residents to return home with caution after being told earlier it was too late to leave.
Tasmania Fire Service Incident Controller Simon Pilkington said fire activity remained high until around midnight when winds dropped.
“It made it difficult with the strong winds yesterday so we couldn’t get any aircraft in the air to provide us any water bucketing support and or to map the fires.,” Pilkington said.
No assets have been reported lost and authorities anticipate some relief by Wednesday with potential rainfall.
Residents in affected areas between Masons Road, Nugent Road and Bezzants Road are being told there is no immediate danger but should remain vigilant for any changes in conditions.
