Blaze Aid set up camp at Pinery fire ground

BlazeAid provides labour assistance to rural landholders to help rebuild fences after natural disasters. 

BlazeAid SA coordinator Wendy Cope said they had chosen sites at Hamley Bridge and Roseworthy, with fence fixing starting Monday.

Ms Cope said people wanting to help rebuild fences need to visit the BlazeAid website for contact details.

“We need volunteers to contact us two days beforehand so we can allocate them to a team before they head to the fencelines,” she said.

Fire-affected families are also encouraged to visit the website for assistance.

“The farmers are required to pay for their own materials, and we provide the labour to help erect the fences,” Ms Cope said.

“Our services are for people who haven’t insured their fences or are under-insured.

“We can also take down fences for the insured.

“But boundary fencing is the first priority.”

Ms Cope said the camps were set-up for three months minimum, and stay for as long as required.

“And it’s not just local people that have been registering for help,” she said.

“I had a lovely phone call from a man in Vic who had received BlazeAid assistance in the past. He wanted to return the favour.”

Primary Producers SA chairman Rob Kerin said they had approached BlazeAid to assist with equipment at their two bases.

“BlazeAid can make a huge difference out there for the farmers,” he said.

“Clean up would be the immediate priority before the fences can even be rebuilt.

“So anyone wanting to donate their time should consider giving BlazeAid a call.”