Over 50 Kiwi firefighters have arrived in Victoria, Australia and have been rushed into work  doing backburning in the high country; their job is involved in using tools not hoses and water to ensure the fires don't spread.

The Kiwis will do a 20 day tour of duty and then will be replaced by another team immediately. Other international firefighters are also heading for Australia.

Many Kiwis were involved in fighting  Victorian bushfires in 2007, eleven being involved in a flash fire which hospitalised a number. Some will be in this present team. They regard 2007 as being a learning curve for them because we do not get such fires on a regular basis in NZ.

The spirit of Anzac remains! In NZ we are acutely aware that in such an earthquake prone country a catastrophe is inevitable some time in the future, and we will need immediate help from our Aussie cousins who can be there in a few hours or more.