A New Zealand fire crew working in Tasmania is being redeployed after pulling out when high winds fanned a fire at Lake Repulse, inland from Hobart.
"They were working in very tall forests and it was quite a dangerous area to be in," said New Zealand National Rural Fire Authority rural fire manager John Barnes.
He said the crew of six moved on Saturday and have been redeployed to the Forcett fires in the state's south toward Port Arthur on Sunday.
Tasmanian police are planning to reopen the Arthur Highway through the bushfire-ravaged Tasman Peninsula for general access from 6pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
They say the opening will be confirmed after an assessment of prevailing fire and wind conditions in the afternoon.
AAP reports that another New Zealand crew is working at the Speedwell Road, Montumana, fire west of Burnie on Sunday. They are working on hot spots.
Two crews of rural firefighters and their manager flew out of Auckland for Tasmania on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: RNZ
Mr Barnes said the work of the New Zealand crews was appreciated.
"I know the incident management team up here and the guys out at the fire don't want to let them go. There's been comments made - God, these guys are quick up the hill," he said.
Milder conditions are expected in the state on Sunday.
The two New Zealand crews will have a recreation day in Hobart on Wednesday but may be required to work on a second recreation day on Thursday when weather conditions are expected to worsen.
The crews will then work another five days before being debriefed.
New Zealand rural fire fighters have regularly helped fight Australian fires. The largest contingent, of 110, went to Victoria in 2009.
