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Vic: Fires continue burning uncontrolled in Victoria


15 Feb 2009 5:00 AM

MELBOURNE, Feb 15 AAP - About a dozen bushfires continue to burn out of control in Victoria, but mild weather is expected to assist fire fighters.

As Victoria's bushfire emergency continues into its eighth day thousands of fire fighters, including some from interstate, New Zealand and the United States, will help efforts on Sunday.

The bushfires have so far killed at least 181 people and are thought to have destroyed 1,834 homes, making them Australia's worst natural disaster.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will meet with bushfire survivors and fire fighters on Sunday when he visits affected communities.

Victorian Premier John Brumby and Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce are also expected to visit bushfire-hit communities.

Fire fighters on Sunday will focus their attention on four key areas; Yea-Murrindindi, Kinglake, Maroondah and Wilson's Promontory, where fires are burning out of control.

Since the fires began one week ago they are thought to have burned out 395,000 hectares.