THE region's Rural Fire Service volunteers were helping spread the word ahead of a tough bush fire season.
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The barbies were the only firing at Bunnings for the "get ready" weekend with RFS volunteers helping people learn about fire risk in the area.
The dangers of bush fire season were all too real and present of the New England with fires raging near Tenterfield and Glen Innes this weekend.
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The RFS' deputy commissioner Rib Rogers was concerned by some recent figures surrounding bush fire survival plans.
He said recent research showed that 67 percent of people living in bush fire prone areas have some sort of plan for what to do during a fire.
"Research shows that while two thirds of people surveyed acknowledged that it is their responsibility to get ready for bush fires, nearly half of people have not taken any steps to protect their home," Mr Rogers said.
"With 95 percent of NSW drought affected and a forecast of ongoing dry and warm conditions, we're facing a potentially long bush fire season - so now is the time to get ready."
Disaster assistance is also now available for communities in Armidale, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha Local Government Areas that have been affected by bush fires the end of August.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444 from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
How to prepare for bush fire season:
1. Discuss what to do if a bush fire threatens your home;
2. Prepare your home and get it ready for bush fire season;
3. Know the bush fire alert levels; and
4. Keep all the bush fire information numbers, websites and Fires Near Me smartphone app handy.
