Out of control bush fires rage since Christmas
Auckland rural firefighters have been called to Australia to battle out-of-control bush fires that have been raging in coastal Victoria since Christmas Day, destroying 116 homes and 2700 hectares of bush.
“We sent six Auckland firefighters last week as part of a New Zealand contingent of 20, but the fires are still not under control so we are sending another six fighters on Monday to relieve the exhausted Victorian crews on the front line,” says acting principal rural fire officer Thomas Harre.
The Wye River-Jamieson Track fire, which is still creeping slowly under the current mild conditions on its Western edge to the Otway Ranges, is likely to threaten coastal communities in the area if another hot dry wind period arrives before it can be contained.
“Our rural firefighters have a wide range of experience taking on steep terrain, 40-degree heat and arduous conditions, so they can make a significant contribution in this is type of environment,” says Mr Harre.
The teams come from Auckland rural fire stations at Awhitu, Great Barrier Island, Puhoi, Waitakere, and also include members of the Auckland Rural Fire Authority. Auckland Council is Auckland’s rural fire authority.
The New Zealanders will work in Australia for four weeks and possibly longer if the state continues to be affected by hot, dry conditions.
Auckland rural firefighter Scott Marchant packs for the trip to Victoria
