The President made the call about 1.10 pm Australian time), within minutes of finishing his first prime time news conference on the US economic crisis.

The brief statement from press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama called Prime Minister Rudd to d iscuss "the current status of the fires across Victoria, Australia."

"The President off ered his prayers to the people of Australia a nd 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," Mr Gibbs said.

The White House was not able to elaborate on what sort of assistance was offered but in the past the US has made available fire fighting equipment such as the "Elvis" water-bombing he licopter and fire fighting units.