NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern offers support as Australian fires worsen

An out-of-control bushfire threatens Johns River on the NSW mid north coast. Photo / Daily Telegraph

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been messaging Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison today about the devastating fires on the east coast of Australia which is threatening to get worse.

New Zealand has already sent five fire-fighters to help with the effort and Ardern told Morrison that New Zealand stood ready to receive any request for extra assistance.

"Our thoughts are with Australia right now," Ardern said at her post-Cabinet press conference.

She said she had text messaged Morrison this morning to offer New Zealand's support.
"These are devastating fires. He acknowledged in one of his visits [to the fires] he had already spoken to one of the New Zealanders already over there."

It is understood that an additional request of about 20 is being prepared.

The fires stretching across New South Wales and Queensland have killed three people and destroyed at least 150 homes.

According to the Australian news website news.com.au a combination of air temperature, winds and dry conditions could create severe dangers.

"Areas such as the Hunter, the Illawarra and greater Sydney are all under 'catastrophic' fire danger warnings – the first time Sydney has ever faced that kind of threat since the new rating system was implemented 10 years ago," the website says.

A total of 64 fires are burning and 40 of them are not contained.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency in New South Wales today.