A second Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployment of firefighters, including 3 Southlanders, have departed today (31 Jan) to support firefighting efforts in Victoria, Australia.

This follows a formal request from Emergency Management Victoria for an exact replacement of our current Alpha deployment who are due home on Monday.

The Bravo contingent consists of 20 firefighters experienced in arduous conditions and two liaison officers.

Deputy National Commander Brandan Nally says the Alpha contingent have done a great job supporting Australian firefighters in tough and challenging conditions in the north-east of the state, where a bushfire has been burning out of control since it broke out on January 5.

"Fire and Emergency has received very positive feedback from the Australians for the work Alpha has done and I know the Bravo contingent of firefighters will continue the good work."

Bravo deployment will work as four crews of five plus a Field Liaison Officer and a Jurisdiction Liaison Officer. One crew is from the Department of Conservation, and the other three crews are firefighters from the South Island plus two forestry workers.

Victoria is experiencing extreme weather conditions with multiple bushfires, which have already caused loss of life and extensive damage to homes, property and the environment.

The Bravo firefighters are experienced in working on complex wildfires in difficult terrain and hot temperatures. They are equipped and ready to stay at a fire camp in a remote location.

Fire and Emergency has international agreements to provide mutual assistance, and regularly deploys personnel overseas to Australia, Pacific Islands and North America.