New Zealand firefighters to help combat Australian bushfires

2 January 2016

Twenty-three firefighters from the country’s rural fire authorities fly to Australia today to help combat fires burning in Victoria.

National Rural Fire Officer Kevin O'Connor said the firefighters would leave this afternoon from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, arriving in Melbourne to begin work the following day around the coastal town of Lorne, 150 kilometres southwest of Melbourne.

The fires have already destroyed about 120 homes in the area, and more homes and infrastructure are under threat.

Mr O’Connor said drought conditions and moderate winds were fuelling fires around Lorne and further along the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne.

“Our firefighters will be containing fires around some of the townships and working to protect homes and other buildings in these towns.”

Lightning strikes late last month started the fires, which are still burning in dense forest. The fires have destroyed 2,500 hectares along a 40-kilometre front. They are threatening Great Otway National Park, the Mount Cowley tower and some water supply catchments, including those for Barwon and Lorne.

Mr O’Connor said a second contingent of 22 firefighters would leave on 11 January to bolster New Zealand’s contribution.

Both deployments are expected to last three weeks, with a possible extension depending on conditions, which are currently extreme in Victoria’s southern coastal areas.

The firefighters are drawn from rural fire authorities around the country, including staff from Department of Conservation and forestry companies.

“Working conditions will be arduous, with steep and inaccessible terrain, plus high temperatures. Numerous aircraft are currently working on the fires.”

Today’s deployment will be the 17th overseas by rural firefighters since 2001 – the 9th to Australia and the 6th to Victoria.

ENDS

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