One of New Zealand’s largest fire fighting helicopters is off to fight fires across the Tasman.

An added bonus for the Australian fire fighters is on the way from New Zealand along with one of New Zealand’s largest fire fighting choppers.

The chopper left Taupo on Tuesday afternoon and is due to make a 15 hour flight across the Tasman on Wednesday.

“We have a speciality in that we fly it with 100-foot cable underneath the helicopter, a long line, and that allows us to get into rather tight water sources that other helicopters may be not be able to get into,” Doug Abbot said to TVNZ. Mr. Abbot works for Heliharvest as a pilot.

The long flight across the Tasman will see them fly to Norfolk Island then across to Lord Howe Island before landing in New South Wales. They will then make the cross country fight into Victoria and join the fight to control the fires.

New Zealand charities have launched appeals for the Victoria fire victims. Donations can be made to the following organisations:

Red Cross:
Donors can call 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation or http://www.redcross.org.nz/ donate online .

Salvation Army:
Donors can call 0800 53 00 00 or http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/ donate online.