Victoria pledges more money for extra firefighters

MELBOURNE - The Victorian government has pledged an extra A$27 ($31.27) million towards firefighting efforts, amid warnings blazes in the state's east and north-east could burn for weeks.

Premier Steve Bracks announced the funding boost while visiting firefighters and volunteers in Wangaratta and the King Valley in the state's north-east today.

It takes the Department of Sustainability (DSE) and Environment's total fire budget for 2006-07 to $150 million.

Most of the extra funding will pay for 100 summer-period firefighters and up to 150 personnel expected to arrive from New Zealand.

As well, 50 management and air support specialists are expected to be recruited from North America.

"Fires burning out of control in the high country and Gippsland will continue to pose a direct threat to people and property in an area of more than half a million hectares," Mr Bracks said in a statement.

More than 3000 DSE and Country Fire Authority personnel are involved in fighting bushfires across Victoria.

- AAP