Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfires Response, Peter Ryan, today announced an increase in the number of full time, permanent firefighters.

An additional 123 firefighters will be put to work in fuel reduction activities.

"We have increased the number of permanent fire-fighting staff throughout the state to ensure important work such as planned burning, slashing and maintenance of fuel breaks continues," Mr Ryan said.

"Many of these full-time positions have been allocated to seasonal firefighters who will now work permanently to increase fire mitigation efforts across the state."

Mr Ryan said crews from Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria had already commenced fuel reduction burns and 45 kilometres of new fuelbreaks on public land throughout Melbourne's outer parklands.