A firefighter has died while on duty in Australian state of Victoria, raising the toll from this season's devastating bushfires to 28 deaths, as the government deploys mental health services to aid those in affected areas. It's the second death of a firefighter in the state in a week. His office released a statement saying that more mental health services will be provided for those affected by the fires. "We need to ensure the trauma and mental health needs of our people are supported in a way like we never have before," Morrison was cited as saying. "It will probably be the best seven days we have had without a rise of very dangerous fire ratings."

Source: Otago Daily Times January 11, 2020 23:15 UTC