The Australian government has announced it would compensate volunteer firefighters in the state of New South Wales (NSW), as authorities brace for conditions to deteriorate again with more high temperatures forecast.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday said volunteer firefighters will receive 300 Australian dollars ($209) a day, up to 6,000 Australian dollars ($4,190) in total, if called out to battle blazes for more than 10 days.
"The early and prolonged nature of this fire season has made a call beyond what is typically made on our volunteer firefighters," Morrison said.
"While I know RFS volunteers don't seek payment for their service, I don't want to see volunteers or families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making," Mr Morrison said.
"This is not about paying volunteers. It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss."
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