Mr Mataira said they were based at Montumana, north-west of Tasmania in a rural area with few houses.
He is part of a Remote Area Team (Rat) working in a 3500ha bush since Friday, mainly setting lines and mopping up rather than fighting fires.
"The fire is pretty much contained and we're working to ensure they don't flare up again. There's a huge area to cover on a steep terrain," Mr Mataira said.
"The weather's been very kind. Temperatures dropped and there was a bit of rain and hail on Thursday [last week] which lowered the temperature to 23."
He said the scene was that of total devastation, with one house totally destroyed. Fire also came close to another property.
The Northland crew are on standby, he said, after a weather warning was issued for Hobart for Thursday.
With temperatures plummet-ing and the fires under control, Mr Mataira said they may return home earlier than the 18 days anticipated.
On the earthquake, team liaison officer John Barnes said locals thought a thunder storm had struck them but coming from Christchurch, he knew it was not.
"There was a loud bang and a roar. They [Tasmanians] are not used to it but someone from Christchurch like me certainly is," he said.
Other Northlanders are Glen Coulston, Paul Cornille, Clea Gardiner (Whangarei), James McLaughlin (Kauri Coast), and Clinton Lyall (Bay of Islands).
Whangarei-based Forest Protection Services, which has previously answered calls for help in South Australia and in theUS, is on stand-by.
Fires have destroyed more than 100 properties and continue to ravage the island state. Bushfires are also burning in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and New South Wales, and South Australia is bracing for the worst bushfire conditions in years.
