KEY POINTS:
The number of New Zealand firefighters battling bushfires in Australia may reach 100, after a formal request for more help from Victorian state officials.
The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment made its second formal request for the firefighters yesterday, as Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker and National
Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield visited Melbourne.
Mr Dudfield said New Zealand had been asked to provide 50 firefighters and two incident management teams. A team of 48 was originally sent to help.
"It may not be exactly 60 but it will be as close to it as we can provide."
Forest and rural firefighters were being short listed and the second deployment would be sent over shortly after the New Year, he said.
Mr Barker said the heat and "vastness of the fires" was difficult to comprehend.
"The fire front stretches 600km and covers 660,000ha, and the conditions facing firefighters are intense."
Eleven of the firefighters suffered burns and smoke inhalation when they were trapped by flames in the Mansfield area, 200km north of Melbourne, on Saturday.
While trying to restrict the spread of a spot fire, the main fire increased in intensity and the firefighters took evasive action.
Three were still recovering at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Mr Barker visited them with Victorian Premier Steve Bracks yesterday and said: "They were positive and upbeat and keen to get back into it to help their mates."
He said the injured firefighters were expected to return home with their colleagues on Saturday.
New Zealand National Rural Fire Authority representative Ian Millman said the injured firefighters were in good spirits and looking forward to setting a return date home.
"We are pleased that none of them suffered life-threatening burns and all are recovering well."
Angela Duggan, partner of injured firefighter Barrie Hunt, said the many messages of support - particularly from New Zealand - had greatly aided the recovery of the men.
Mr Hunt, from the High Country Fire Team based at Canterbury, said they were still thinking about their "mates on the fire front".
Two more New Zealand firefighters who were taken to hospital in Wangaratta and Mansfield were fully recovered and returned to their colleagues at camp.
The remaining five have returned to full duties.
Department of Sustainability and Environment state duty officer Andrew Graystone said the New Zealanders had been a valuable resource in fighting the fires.
"The efforts of the New Zealand contingent have been greatly appreciated and their presence has certainly assisted the control of these severe fires."
- NZPA
