SA firefighters head for Tasmania

About 70 South Australian Country Fire Service personnel and 16 vehicles are heading for Tasmania to relieve local crews battling about 50 bushfires for more than a month.

CFS Chief Officer Greg Nettleton says the SA resources will most likely be deployed to fight fires in the northwest of Tasmania and should begin working on the fireground by Wednesday.

"Our deployment, and similar contingents from the Victorian Country Fire Authority and the NSW Rural Fire Service, will provide much needed relief for the Tasmanian firefighters who have had an enormous challenge on their hands over a long period of time," Mr Nettleton said.