Six Otago rural firefighters being sent to Australia to battle bushfires in tinder-dry Victoria can expect to work up to 15-hour days in extreme heat.
Principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the firefighters were being sent to help battle multiple fires burning in the state.
They were part of a national deployment of 20 people leaving for Melbourne today to work on the fire-ground for two sets of seven-day shifts.
The Otago authority was asked on Boxing Day for firefighters used to working arduous conditions with tall timber tree-felling experience.
‘‘Otago conditions are dry, and our fire risk is extreme in some regions, so the request had to be considered carefully.
‘‘However, having a large region and a significant number of experienced firefighters means we are able to help,'' she said.
It was not known where in Victoria they would be based.
This team was made up of firefighters from Glenorchy, Oamaru and Dunedin.
Otago deputy principal rural fire officer Graeme Still, who was among those going to Australia and had fought fires there before, including last year, said they would be working up to 15 hours a day.
It was a case of ‘‘eat, sleep, work'', but Mr Still said he enjoyed the work.
‘‘It's good to go and give them a hand and they would do the same if we were in a bit of trouble.''
The fire environment in Australia was more volatile than in New Zealand but apart from that it was similar, except on a much larger scale.
