Fire brigades across the country, including those in WA, have been presented with gift cards to say thank you for their efforts battling blazes.

Coles has donated more than $3 million in gift cards to over 6000 fire brigades across Australia to use as they wish — to run a thank you event with their members or stock up on supplies of food and essentials for their stations for the fire season.

The donation comes with firefighters battling blazes up and down the East Coast, with two volunteers in NSW killed overnight when their truck overturned and Prime Minister Scott Morrison cutting short a much-criticised holiday to head back to Sydney.

Coles Group chief executive Steven Cain said providing gift cards was a tangible way they could recognise and thank firefighters and volunteers working tirelessly throughout the year.

“We want to acknowledge the amazing courage and dedication of volunteer firefighters,” Mr Cain said.

“As fires continue to burn across the country, tens of thousands of firefighters across Australia are volunteering their time to keep our communities safe. Some are based in fire-affected areas while others are travelling across borders and to other regions to help protect communities away from home.

Camera Icon Coles managing director Steven Cain. Credit: AAPIMAGE

“With a long, hot summer ahead of us, we wanted to show our appreciation of the enormous contribution these firefighters have already made and will continue to make.

“We are so grateful for their bravery and commitment.”

Bushfire Volunteers’ president Dave Gossage said: “As the peak body for the 26,000 amazing women and men of WA’s volunteer bushfire service, we deeply appreciate Coles Group’s acknowledgement of their invaluable work.

“Our volunteers don’t donate their time and skills for anything other than the safety and resilience of our community but will be very grateful that their brigades will be able to purchase essential supplies or perhaps fund something special for the members this Christmas, thanks to Coles Group.”