More NZ firefighters heading to Australia to help battle bush fires

Up to 20 more NZ firefighters will go to Australia next week to help battle devastating bush fires. Photo / Getty Images

More than 20 firefighters will answer a call for more help to battle bush fires that have devastated parts of Australia.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that 22 firefighters will head across the ditch next Wednesday after a formal request was received from the Australian Government.

The latest NZ crew is made up of 20 firefighters, a strike team leader and a liaison officer.

They will help with front-line firefighting on two five-day rotations.

"The devastation caused by these fires is taking a substantial toll on our Australian neighbours and we will continue to do what we can to assist as they deal with this extremely dynamic, dangerous and ongoing situation," Ardern said.

Bushfires smoke traveling from Australia to New Zealand (source: Himawari-8 satellite) pic.twitter.com/dAXaMns96c

— Simon Gascoin (@sgascoin) January 2, 2020

She said New Zealanders from around the country had expressed their condolences to those who had lost loved ones or had been affected by the fires.

"I extend mine, too," Ardern said.

"It's simply devastating to see the scale of the loss."

Death toll now eight, many missing

The latest figure for the death toll stands at eight; while 17 people are missing in Victoria.

As at 11.45am (NZT), fire authorities in Australia said there were 127 fires burning and 67 had not been contained.

"Around 2100 firefighters are in the field," the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said on its official Twitter page.

The most devastated places are in Victoria and NSW, where a state of emergency has been declared.

At 9.45am 127 fires are burning, 67 are not contained. Around 2,100 firefighters are in the field. A state-wide Total Fire Ban applies today.
Due to the dangerous fire conditions, Leave Zone areas have been identified on the south coast: https://t.co/4jsLTVgOmh#nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/fE1dczOyt8

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020

Ardern said she had been in contact with Australian PM Scott Morrison to pass on New Zealand's support.

Before today's announcement, 157 New Zealand firefighters had been deployed to help with the fires across the Tasman.

The first group were sent over last October.

Ministry of Internal Affairs Tracey Martin said the Government was monitoring the situation in Australia closely and Fire and Emergency NZ was also keeping in close contact with fire authorities in Australia in case more support on the ground is needed.

"I thank them for their incredible efforts and wish them the best for the tough and complex work they are doing," Martin said.