Close allies such as Britain, New Zealand and the United States have been joined by nations including Andorra, Brazil and Iran in offering their sympathies or assistance, the state-run Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

US President Barack Obama telephoned Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to offer his condolences over the wildfires after holding the first press conference of his young presidency, the White House said.

"The president offered his prayers to the people of Australia and his condolences to the victims. The president asked if the US could provide assistance to the government and people of Australia to assist with the fire," said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs.

More than 30 US firefighters were reportedly flying to Australia to join reinforcements from fire departments around the country who are heading to Victoria state, where the inferno began Saturday.

The United States has also offered the expertise of aviation managers, planning section chiefs and specialists in land rehabilitation, AAP reported.

New Zealand is sending 100 firefighters and Singapore has offered a fleet of Super Puma helicopters.

In a letter to Rudd, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong volunteered the helicopters stationed at Oakey in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland for the relief effort.

"We are also ready to help in any other way that we can," he added in the letter, released by Singapore's foreign ministry late Monday.

The Super Puma helicopters are suitable for search and rescue operations and to transport people and equipment.

In a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone extended "any cooperation" necessary from the Japanese, according to AAP.

Smith had also spoken to Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who offered assistance, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki Manouchehr, who sent wishes of solidarity.

China's Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Liu Jieyi, in Canberra for human rights discussions, offered the sympathies of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the people of the world's most populous nation.

Countries to offer practical help include Turkey, Thailand, France and Indonesia, which has offered assistance with disaster victim identification.

Other offers of sympathy and help came from Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa and Sweden, Rudd told parliament in a televised speech earlier in the day.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Rudd on Sunday that Britain stood ready to help, while Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement expressing her shock at the loss of so many lives.

Rudd said Australia welcomed each of the offers of support and expressions of sympathy from around the world.

"It is good that they have come," he said.

"All Victorians and all Australians should know that in this darkest hour they are not alone."

Australians have responded with unprecedented generosity, charities said Tuesday, pledging more than 30 million dollars (20 million US) to relief appeals.

The Red Cross said its public appeal for the disaster had topped 28 million dollars late Tuesday, up from seven million dollars 24 hours earlier.

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