KEY POINTS:
New Zealand firefighters could be battling the devastating Australian bushfires by the end of the week, Prime Minister John Key says.
New Zealand had offered to send 100 firefighters to fight the deadly blazes - which have claimed more than 170 lives - an offer accepted by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
It had been thought they would not go for at least a week but Mr Key today said it was likely they would be mobilised sooner.
"It's possible that some will be despatched this week but that is being driven on the Australian side of what suits them best," he said.
The firefighters would travel to Australia on an Air Force Boeing 757.
The fires near Melbourne, in southeastern Australia, have destroyed more than 750 homes, left 5000 people homeless and burned 220,260ha of land.
Mr Key said New Zealanders hearts went out to Australians.
"It's devastating and as this tragedy unfolds, the cost of human life, the enormity of it and the severity of it is hard to fathom," he said.
"I think you're seeing New Zealanders really showing enormous empathy for their friends in Australia."
The Government yesterday announced it would kickstart a fund for Australian bushfire victims with a $500,000 donation.
The fund would be run by the New Zealand Red Cross and people would be able to donate to it through www.redcross.org.nz or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 33200.
- NZPA
