Hinds Volunteer Fire Brigade members Tim Clark and Matt Luxton headed to Victoria on Saturday, as part of a nationwide contingent helping their Australian counterparts.
The Bravo contingent is the second rotation of New Zealand firefighters to head across the Tasman to assist in the fire ravaged state.
Luxton’s wife, former Rangitata MP Jo Luxton said on social media that Matt and his team would be fighting fires under some horrendous and dangerous heat and conditions.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said the Bravo contingent consists of twenty firefighters split into four crews, plus a field liaison officer and a jurisdiction liaison officer.
The crews were experienced in fighting fires in arduous conditions.
‘‘One crew is from the Department of Conservation, and the other three crews consist of firefighters from the South Island plus two forestry workers,’’ the organisation said online.
‘‘Victoria is experiencing extreme weather conditions across the state, with fires that have caused loss of life and extensive damage to homes, property and the environment.’’
FENZ has international agreements to provide mutual assistance, and regularly deploys personnel overseas to Australia, Pacific Islands and North America.
Assistant national commander Ken Cooper told RNZ the organisation assessed each request to ensure it had capacity to send personnel, without compromising full capability in New Zealand.
