The Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee have announced a review into the 2026 Victorian summer fires.

Details of the Inquiry can be found here on the Parliament of Victoria website.

The Committee describes their Inquiry as covering:

The Committee will inquire into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria including preparation and planning by Government, emergency services agencies, causes and circumstances of the bushfires, funding equipment and appliances for the CFA, the emergency responses, resilience of critical services and infrastructure, the impact on community business and agriculture, the impact on the environment, the impacts of climate change, the impact of misinformation, interjurisdictional support and lessons from previous inquiries, report and Royal Commissions.

The terms of reference are available for download below, with the Committee announcing submissions closing on 15th March 2026.

While Victoria is still in the middle of the fire season, and brigades are still actively responding, as always VFBV will cooperate and contribute to the inquiry. While the closing date for submissions does not appear to fully appreciate the unique pressures that CFA volunteers and brigades are still under, VFBV will do our best to advocate for brigades in a calm and professional manner on the issues that members have told us are important to them.

Notwithstanding the obvious time pressures, brigades and members are encouraged to contribute to the Inquiry, which can be made via: Submissions - Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria - Parliament of Victoria.

Contributions to VFBV's submission:

If brigades or members do not wish to personally contribute to the inquiry – they may also consider submitting to VFBV to inform our submission.

Terms of reference numbers #1, #2, #3 and #4 are the most likely to be the most interest to brigades and groups.

VFBV is keen for brigades and groups to provide any evidence or supporting documents that can assist with our submission. VFBV is keen to have evidence on any aging fleet concerns and breakdowns, impacts from inadequate funding, as well as lack of engagement through municipal planning committees regarding roadside and other fuel reduction burning, as well as any organisational issues that people feel relevant to the 2026 bushfire season response.

Any members or brigades who have completed after-action reviews and deployment surveys from CFA are also welcome to forward a copy of what they have submitted to inform our submission and saves members from needing to double up on providing input. 

Any member, brigade and group feedback can be forwarded to your local VFBV Support Officer or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.