NZ firefighters brace for tough day in Victoria

New Zealand firefighters in Victoria are bracing themselves for high temperatures and gale force winds that threaten to replicate the devastating firestorms of Black Saturday.

Emergency services were pushed to limit by the February 7 bushfires, the worst in Australia's history, in which at least 210 people died.

Forecasters have predicted temperatures of 32degC today with gusts of up to 150km per hour.

Authorities have closed 300 schools and police have sent extreme weather warnings via text message to more than 5 million people.

New Zealand National Rural Fire Authority detachment leader Kevin Ihaka said pre-dawn winds were calm but conditions were expected to worsen.

"We're all standing round with our fingers crossed at the moment, very sort of light warm winds but it is expected to pick up after dawn," he told Radio New Zealand.

The 53 New Zealand firefighters would be stationed in several different communities today, he said.

"Because of the high winds it's not safe to be in the forest, not just from the fire perspective but also from the angle of trees falling over and just the general dangers out there."

Mr Ihaka said the firefighters worked long days in tough conditions but Australian crews were thankful.

"The Aussies are extremely grateful and obviously they've had a tough time and it's affected their firefighters and all of the operations here.

"Everybody's been putting in a pretty big effort over here and it seems to be working so far," he said.

- NZPA