Victoria bushfires: Australia enlists international support after bushfires tear through country’s southeast

Australia has enlisted international support after bushfires in the country’s southeast tore through more than 350,000 hectares.

Anthony Albanese said that Canada and the United States had been engaged to support the efforts as latest reports reveal more than 300 structures have been lost to the blaze.

“At times like this we receive support and there is engagement at the moment with our friends from Canada and the United States,” the PM said in an update on Sunday.

“We’ll work with state and territory governments, and we’ll work cooperatively as well.”

He said the National Aerial Firefighting fleet — which is an Australia-wide collection of 160 highly specialised aircraft such as water bombers, large air tankers, light planes and helicopters — had descended on Victoria to aid the firefighting efforts.

Mr Albanese announced a joint $19.5 million support package with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Sunday for people seeking mental health help and temporary accommodation. The funding includes $10 million to help farmers with emergency fodder for livestock.

“My message to Victorians is pretty simple — ‘we’ve got your back’ — not just during this crisis, but through the recovery as well, and we’ll work cooperatively with the Allan Government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period,” Mr Albanese said.

“Yesterday, the federal government expanded our support for disaster recovery funding arrangements through the now 18 local government areas.

“It provides for individual one-off assistance payments, personal and financial counselling, removal of debris and support for state agencies and local councils.”

Authorities say there have been hundreds of fires across Victoria across the last three days, with 32 still active and ten deemed major blazes.

On Sunday afternoon there were still 15 emergency warnings and 17 watch and act warnings in place across the State.

Chief Fire Officer of Forest Fire Management Victoria Chris Hardman say more than 15,000 responders and at least 70 aircrafts were helping tackle the fires on Friday.

Ms Allan urged Victorian’s to follow emergency instructions, stay informed through local media and the VicEmergency app, and avoid entering dangerous areas.