Wildfires have devastated southeastern Australia. Photo / Getty Images
Wildfires have devastated southeastern Australia. Photo / Getty Images
KEY POINTS:
New Zealand firefighters are confident they can help their Victorian counterparts despite the high fire risk in much of this country.
The National Rural Fire Authority's Murray Dudfield said no formal request had been made but staff would be sent if needed.
"If the fires continue ...we will certainly give any requests for help consideration. We are confident we can fill any requests that will be made by our Australian colleagues. We have committed firefighters to them on a regular basis and expect to do the same again."
He said Victorian fire services were committing 3000 of their estimated strength of 50,000 to the fires, so they would still have some resources to use before they sought international help.
"They have a bit in reserve at this point, if they can reach out to their community fire services ... but if the situation worsens Australia can always look to support from New Zealand, Canada, and the US."
Dunedin fire officials were concerned that sending support to Australia might stretch local resources in a high-risk fire climate. A total fire ban is in place in parts of Otago province and it could be extended over the next few days. North Canterbury, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay are also vulnerable to fire because of the dry conditions.
Dunedin City Council principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said he would have to think very carefully before committing the team of six he took to Australia three years ago.
"Our fire danger's a bit high so I don't think we'd like to be travelling too far. Our own back door's pretty dry at the moment."
He concurred with Mr Still's comments on the New Zealand situation and noted the high fire risk brought about by 40C temperatures in Canterbury and drying vegetation across the east coast.
But he was confident the New Zealand Fire Service could juggle resources to assist the Victorians.
"We'd likely employ contractors from the forestry department, who would be well suited to the alpine fires there."
Prime Minister John Key said he had sought advice on whether to send firefighters.
