Victorian police had yet to enter some areas where they knew to expect fatalities, and warned the death toll would reach 300.

More than 900 homes had been destroyed, and 330,000 hectares of bush.

Rural Fire Service Manning team officer Cec Miller said local volunteers had been deeply affected by the images and reports filtering from south of the border.

“It’s total devastation, isn’t it? Everyone’s used every word under the sun to describe it. We have locals ringing up to see if they can help in any way, shape or form.”

No local brigades had been asked to provide back-up, but Inspector Miller said a large contingent was ready to mobilise.

“We’re doing a pre-emptive ring-around at the moment to see who’s prepared to go down [to Victoria] for 72 or 96 hours,” he said.

“We’re making sure we’re prepared, but at this stage nothing formal has come through. It’s been a good response from the local brigades, and they’ve offered us the people they can without compromising local protection.”

Not wanting to make comparisons between Victoria’s prescribed burning program and NSW measures, Inspector Miller conceded tracts of the Great Lakes were vulnerable to fire.

“We always have concerns with Smiths Lake, because there are lots of dwellings and a single road leading in and out,” he said.

“At the moment the west part [of the Great Lakes] is a lot drier than the east part. Places like Stroud and Booral will become more of a concern if they don’t get some rain there soon.”

On Saturday February 8 a blaze at Minimbah spread quickly to consume 630 hectares. It had been contained within two days, after 70 volunteer firefighters and 15 tankers were deployed. No injuries were incurred, or homes damaged.

Since then 31 major bushfires have burnt across Victoria and so far caused widespread loss of life and an estimated $2 billion damage.

US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last Tuesday offering his condolences and assistance, although the White House was unable to tell The Age what kind of help would be offered.

Inspector Miller said the RFS conducts year-round fire prevention education in the Great Lakes.