BENDIGO Fire Station has welcomed firefighters from New South Wales after local crews were deployed to Mildura.
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Fire crews from Mildura have been transferred to Gippsland to fight a blaze at the Hazelwood open cut mine.
Three NSW firefighters per shift will offer assistance the Bendigo Fire Brigade for the next two weeks.
Bendigo CFA firefighter Travis Harris said this was the first time NSW crews had assisted in Bendigo.
He said Victorian firefighters assisted NSW in the Blue Mountains late last year.
"It has helped us out a lot because of our commitments out at the mine," he said.
"They have been given a request by the CFA to help out and they have accepted that request.
"It is a bit of a mutual understanding that in a time of need another fire service will help out another one."
NSW Fire Rescue Ian Straiton said he and the rest of the firefighters were only too happy to help Bendigo.
"We are returning the favour from last year's Victorian presence in NSW which we very much appreciated," he said.
"I was lucky enough to be the station commander who worked with the Victorian firefighters that came up."
Mr Straiton said the Bendigo brigade had warmly welcomed the firefighters.
"They have really gone out of their way to make us really welcome," he said.
"It's been amazing and we are really grateful to be able to come down, and have the opportunity to help.
"It's unfortunate that it is a bad situation that has brought us together but at least we get to swap ideas."