NSW Coroner to examine 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfire deaths

The inquiry will start in Sydney on August 25 then move to regional courtrooms close to bushfire-affected communities, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice said.

Read more: Johns River community reflects on the devastating aftermath of bushfire

In September, the inquiry will travel to Cooma and Queanbeyan and in 2022 it will travel to other parts of regional NSW.

The inquiry is aimed at over 40 blazes, which burned through six per cent of the state, took 26 lives and destroyed nearly 2,500 homes.

Read more: Bushfires 2019 - The stories of humanity we will never forget

Mid North Coast communities were challenged by the most terrifying bushfires the region has seen in more than 20 years during the summer of 2019-2020.

Lives were lost, homes destroyed and hectares of flora and fauna decimated.

In the aftermath of that horrific experience - shared by individuals, communities, volunteers and emergency services personnel who bravely manned the frontline - regions continue to reflect on the challenges faced and the lessons learned.

Read more: The 50 images that defined Black Summer

At Johns River, where the state recorded one of several tragic deaths, isolation, communication and awareness about emergency action, emerged among the challenges. They were met with dangerously erratic conditions and fire with a ferocity no-one could have predicted.

The fire claimed the life of resident, 63-year-old Julie Fletcher. The pain of losing one of their own still hurts this small community today.

Read more: Tributes flow for fourth NSW fire victim Barry Parsons

Barry Parsons of Willawarrin was the fourth person to die after fire ripped through hectares of bushland near Kempsey.

He was discovered in bushland on the southern end of the Kyuna Track after a 'super-fire' tore a path of destruction through the area and destroyed homes.

All the hearings in the Black Summer bushfire inquiry will be made available online for viewing.

Submissions will be accepted until Friday, July 23, 2021.

If you would like to make a submission, click here.

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