When it comes to fire fighting, there's nothing enjoyable about it.

Often it is hard work in the searing heat and it is always dusty and uncomfortable. But it is a service that needs to be done according to Comobella volunteer Richard Sears. He says if there is any enjoyment in volunteering, it is in the relief that comes from preventing disasters.

During the State Championships (won by the Orana Composite team, followed by previous winners Dubbo Headquarters in second) Mr Sears came third in the chainsaw section of the two-day competition.

It involved a one-hour written exam, a demonstration on accessing tools and how to use them, a challenge to cut nine disks off the end of a log in 90 seconds, a bore cut (then cutting up and down), cutting out a little chair and then cutting down two allocated trees.

Mr Sears faced 12 talented competitors from across the state in his effort to claim the podium.

"I felt very pleased I was able to do it, especially for the Orana Area," Mr Sears said.

"It just makes you happy you can do these things for the community and do them reasonably well - especially with the teams. We took out first and second and then a third with the orana chainsaw section, it was a fairly good show."

Mr Sears was unable to pinpoint a single factor that made the volunteers in this area do so well.

"We were working together and went with the idea of trying to do our best, but also to enjoy ourselves and the camaraderie of being in the RFS, the Orana team," he said.

Mr Sears began fighting fires from a young age, helping out on his father's farm before joining the volunteer service.

"You learnt that sometimes you can't control it and to be careful. You learnt to respect it," he said.

"As land holders everybody helps each other. You start into a volunteer organisation and you hope that if you have a calamity they will help you."

"Farmers wouldn't be farmers if they didn't have a sense of community and you wouldn't find a hard-nosed businessman that's a farmer."

With an early start to fire season and plenty of fuel around, he hopes people will keep an eye out and be prepared.

Residents can do this by cleaning their gutters and debris around the house, making sure their fire fighting appliances are working and test their extinguishers.

When driving, don't idle in long grass and call triple-0 (000) if you see a fire.