“Media helping media, neighbour helping neighbour”: Ronnie Stanton on bushfires

It’s been a rough few days for communities in south-east Queensland and northern NSW as devastating bushfires swept through.

At the height of the emergency; there were more than a hundred fires, thousands of residents were evacuated and dozens of properties were destroyed.

The Gold Coast hinterland and the Sunshine Coast bore the brunt of the devastation and local broadcasters scrambled to cover the crisis as their communities burned.

Grant Broadcaster’s Ronnie Stanton captured a number of images of the fire’s ferocity from his home at Peregian Springs to the south of Noosa.

He admits it was a difficult time for his teams at Hot 91/Zinc 96, but it was also inspiring.

“Watching the community pulling together for the greater good is truly inspiring. Media helping media and neighbour helping neighbour.”

The fires are still burning in some areas, but residents are returning to their homes and trying to ‘get back to normal’.

However, it may just be a taste of things to come in the months ahead. Authorities have warned we’re in for a long, hot, dry summer.

And the crisis is far from over with weather conditions not expected to ease.