Four Northland-based firefighters battling Australia's deadliest bushfires are protecting Melbourne residents' water supply.
The four are among 100 firefighters, including 49 other Kiwis and a team from New South Wales, who started work on Monday at Wesburn, Yarra Valley.
The Northland team includes Kevin Ihaka, Krestin Naera, Ryan Banks and Carey Herewini
of Forest Protection Services, which is contracted to fight forest fires in Northland.
Also in the team for the initial 18-day trip are two firefighters from Helensville, team leader Rob Clarke and Allen McNeil.
"We cover strategic areas ... hills that feed the reservoir to ensure things like dust do not pollute the water supply," Mr Ihaka said.
He said after local firefighters used bulldozers to clear lines, they took over and widened the lines that acted as firebreaks.
"There are hundreds of kilometres of lines. The weather yesterday [Monday] was kind, hovering in late 20 degrees, which made our work a little easier, although we didn't finish until 10 or 11 [at night]."
Mr Ihaka said the area they were working on was hilly, steep forest with large trees that toppled by themselves because of prolonged dry conditions.
The New Zealand crew will work seven days before taking a break.
Firefighters from the United States, Canada and Tasmania are also helping out.
The death toll in Australia's deadliest bushfires now stands at 189, including a New Zealander - the deadliest in Australian history - but it could top 200.
About 70 people are estimated to have been seriously injured. Waves of fire raged across more than 3900sq km on February 7 as extremely hot, dry and windy conditions drove infernos through forests, farms and towns.
More than 1800 homes were destroyed, entire towns razed and some 7500 people displaced.
Police suspect at least two of the fires were deliberately set, and have charged one man with arson causing death and lighting a wildfire.
Brendan Sokaluk, 39, faces a maximum sentence of 25 years on the first charge and 15 years on the second.
Sokaluk is being held in protective custody to prevent revenge attacks against him.
More than 4000 firefighters are still battling some 33 fires in Victoria.
