Toorooka has seen its fair share of fires recently with multiple fronts tearing through the small Macleay village.
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Reg has been a resident of the eight family village for the last 25 years, and for him the most vivid memory of the fires was the sound they made.
"The roar of the fire as it came through was deafening, it was like a jet engine, balls of fire virtually came over our heads," he told the Argus.
"We don't know how it started, but it went through the old Macleay River bed, it all happened so quick, nobody had time to respond, the heat was unbelievable.
"Then when that fire had finished, another came through, then that finished and another, it just seemed to be coming from all directions, the problem was the wind kept changing."
Among the structures saved were the heritage-listed butter factory and many of the houses, but unfortunately despite the best efforts of everyone involved, not all the structures survived.
"The house across the road was destroyed, along with three cars, sheds, machinery and working dogs have all been lost around the community," Reg said.
"My neighbour conducted a winter hazard reduction burn; I think that's what saved us, if he hadn't have done that, I think the rest of the village would have gone."
Since the Rural Fire Service extinguished the infernos, Toorooka residents have been dealing with spot fires; Reg insists the task is made easier by the community-minded spirit of the village.
"I was trying to clear a tree the other day, and someone stopped to lend a hand, it's been great, the community have really rallied together, you wouldn't get that in the city," he said.
"The RFS and Essential Energy people have been marvellous as well; they have been working in horrendous conditions.
"Around 50 power poles have been replaced around the area, the workers had masks on, their eyes were blood red, and the fire was still smoldering either side of them as they worked."
Toorooka is safe for now, but like a lot of places in the Macleay, the threat of fire still looms, and Reg sees only one solution.
"I think the people in charge might have to have a good hard think about hazard reduction burns, Australia's bush re-generates through burning, it always has," Reg said.
"I've been in fires before, this isn't the first time, but this is among the worst I've seen in all my years."
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