Although cooler weather and some rainfall did help to stop the advance of some of the bushfires raging in Australia there are still unprecedented levels of destruction being caused to homes and animals.

While many local people have responded to calls to help the wildlife by making pouches for injured kangeroos and nests for smaller animals, there have been calls for a greater level of assistant by the government and public services.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has sent a group of fire specialists to Australia to see what assistance can be offered to support the fight against the on-going wildfires. They are part of a UK team coordinated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The work will include looking at what type of support would be most useful, how long it may be required, and to ensure any further assistance is in line and coordinated with firefighting efforts currently underway in Australia.

The group will meet with local fire and local authorities to identify if UK Fire and Rescue Services are in a position to offer further on-going support over the next few months.

“The visiting fire specialists will assess how the UK is best able to support our colleagues in Australia who are currently dealing with such overwhelming conditions,” said Nathan Travis, Chief Fire Officer of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS).

“The group will consider what skills and expertise the UK can contribute to the massive effort required not just to fight the wildfires, but also to maintain the regular fire and rescue services needed throughout the country, by providing cover for the Australian crews who have been working tirelessly for so many weeks to try to end these catastrophic fires.

“While HWFRS has received no request yet, we will respond to any call to action made by the NFCC if our fire crews are able to provide Australian firefighters with any practical assistance.

“Our Service Vision is Saving More Lives and we are prepared to help our Australian colleagues and the communities they serve to do this, if required.”