ALMOST three hectares of land was destroyed by a sizeable grass fire, which lit up Muswellbrook on Thursday night.
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About 6.55pm, Muswellbrook Fire and Rescue NSW members joined crews from Edinglassie, Kayuga, McCullys Gap and Mangoola Rural Fire Brigades to extinguish the blaze, which had taken hold around Kayuga Bridge and along the Hunter River bank in Aberdeen Street.
On arrival, the firefighting personnel noticed a large amount of smoke billowing into the sky with several areas alight.
But, with the off-road capabilities Rural Fire Service (RFS) vehicles have these days, all the crews were able to contain and mop up the fire within a few hours.
Mangoola 9 certainly got a workout through some of the tougher terrain, due to its smaller size, as did the Kayuga truck.
All teams worked extremely well together before returning to their respective stations at approximately 11pm to clean-up.
The cause of the blaze is now being investigated.
Ironically, the incident comes as the NSW Rural Fire Service launches its Get Ready Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15.
The annual initiative not only asks residents to prepare for the bushfire season, but take five minutes to improve - or make - a plan that will protect their property, and give them the best chance of survival.
Ask yourself - would your strategy stand up to the test of a fire?
How fire proof is your plan?
Find out in five minutes at myfireplan.com.au
Meanwhile, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, the McCullys Gap station - located at 1050 Sandy Creek Road - will open its doors to the public.
Join the team for a sausage sizzle (gold coin donation), see the fire trucks and equipment, and meet the volunteers who protect the community.
There is plenty for the kids, too, with giveaways and a jumping castle.