Local RFS volunteer Chris Nicholls knows firsthand what it's like to be on the wet end of a fire hose. And he's seen enough to know how dangerous our fire seasons have become. I can't imagine how exhausted our firefighters are now, how they must ache for a cool, quiet place to lay down, to breathe fresh air, to have a cold beer and not be constantly on alert for the next call-up.

The things they've seen and heard will stay with them for years - the crying of people losing their homes, pets, their loved ones. The sight of homes, haysheds, forests, exploding into fireballs 50 metres high.

So much of this dangerous, traumatic work is being done by volunteers. That means as we approach Christmas these incredible men and women are losing weeks of paid employment. Their employers are struggling to backfill or do without staff who, even when they return will still likely be shell-shocked and exhausted. Families don't know if fathers, sisters, sons and aunties are coming home for Christmas, if indeed at all.

And where is our Prime Minister? Where is our Premier? They are hiding from us. Because they know if they visit affected communities they'll be called out for not acting on the climate emergency. They're more scared of facing up to their electors, naming the issue, and showing some leadership, than they are concerned about us all going up in actual flames.

I am 100% with Chris Nicholls. We are acting like a Third World country. However we had a election and people have chosen the same one again for the same recipe. So next time please think. This PM took a chunk of coal into Parliament, remember that.

Chris Nicholls' biased 'open letter' to the PM angered me so much I had to respond! What does the PM's religion have to do with it? That set the tone! Blaming the PM for the fires is irresponsible and nasty.

The letter was emotional and did not give the facts. We all know that some of the fires were lit deliberately, one by a volunteer fireman - one of his mates! Environmentalists' meddling including obstructing the cleaning up of forest floors and back burning has also contributed to the fires. $11million has just been given for the air support. Australia is known to have some of the poorest soils in the world. Drought, overstocking and sheep have not helped but is this the PM's fault - clearly in Mr Nicholls mind, the PM is responsible for every disaster/problem.

Politicians of influence on both sides of government are criminally responsible for inaction on planetary welfare and have been for decades. Get your nose out of the trough and act like compassionate humans - even if you are only acting.

From Wollombi, a small town in the Hunter surrounded by fire I support Chris Nicholls' call for action by the federal government. My 70 year old partner has been doing 14-hour shifts for the RFS, often overnight. His commitment to the crisis on our doorstep (literally) is not because he 'wants to' - it's because there is no alternative except to let our houses burn. He's going up and down hills in 40-plus heat. He is exhausted and he's not alone. No civilised society would tolerate these conditions in a workplace yet our Prime Minister expects it of our pensioner volunteers. We will remember this at election time - those of us that survive it.

I passed a large dairy herd near Candelo yesterday. There was not a stick of shade in a 50-degree heat. Do farmers not realise that this is inhumane? Would you care to stand out, unshaded, in that kind of heat?

In addition, and to remind farmers, optimal production is only achieved in temperatures around 20 degrees. Take note that humane animal husbandry is practiced by organic farmers. It is their creed and for certification. So support them as much as possible.

The Department of Agriculture has a lot to answer for what with the approval of battery production and feedlots. As a result it is hardly surprising that more and more people are becoming vegans and revolting against this kind of treatment of animals.

To the person who sideswiped my black Volvo in the car park last week, without leaving your details. You possibly had a light coloured vehicle as the paint left on the front, right panel has white paint scratches. You must have been very close as the guard is scraped to the metal.

I am very angry and upset at your lack of decency and your selfish disregard for others in your community. Respect for others is obviously not part of your life. You have cost me an unnecessary financial loss, plus a loss of faith in humanity.

Time to move the shire to Merimbula where the true centre of population has been for a lot of years. A lot more than Bega ever was.