NZ firefighters return from Australia

A number of New Zealand firefighters have returned from bushfire-blackened regions of Victoria, satisfied with the job they did.

Volunteers said rain in Australia's southern states this week had finally allowed firefighters to get on top of the bushfires which had plagued Victoria for weeks.

"The region was baked when we got there,' said Nathan Keoghan, who led a group of five from the West Coast Rural Fire District.

"Everywhere we went, everyone knew somebody who had been affected by the fires. It was just humbling and solemn," he told The Press.

Mr Keoghan, 34, of Westport, said the bushfires were on a scale not seen in New Zealand.

"The biggest fire I have been to here was 5000 hectares, and this one in Australia was around 90,000."

Mr Keoghan said the work had been adrenaline-fuelled at times, but the firefighters had been happy to help their Australian counterparts and had achieved what they set out to do.

Graeme O'Dea, 43, of Greymouth, said he had enjoyed his stint across the Tasman.

"We did what we were told to do and I think they were happy with what we did."

A fresh contingent of 57 firefighters left for Australia this week and were expected to continue the task of damping down hot spots before beginning a clean-up so burnt areas could return to normal.

- NZPA