The NSW coroner is investigating the devastating 2019 and 2020 bushfires, including the blaze which claimed the life of volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul.
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Mr McPaul died while battling the Upper Murray fires near Jingellic on December 30, 2019.
The 28-year-old Culcairn man was in a fire truck which rolled during extreme winds.
Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan began hearing evidence into the southern region fires on Monday as part of an inquest.
The coroner is examining fires which led to 25 deaths during the fire season in NSW.
Evidence into the Green Valley fire at Talmalmo is expected to be heard next week.
The Talmalmo fire burnt at least 106 structures, including homes in Jingellic and Ournie, and damaged about 46,000 hectares of land in eight weeks.
About seven per cent of NSW was burnt during the fire season, covering 5.5 million hectares of land.
There were 2476 homes lost in the state.
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Ms O'Sullivan said the pandemic had impacted the inquest, and prevented family members from attending in person.
The matter is being streamed online, and the coroner said for many viewers it would be a "difficult and sometimes painful journey".
"I'm very conscious you are watching and listening in and no doubt feeling a range of emotions," she said.
Police and Rural Fire Service members on Monday gave evidence into fires which occurred east of Cooma.
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