Kinglake Friends of the Forest, Media Release, 14 January 2026

The State only aims to promptly suppress 80 per cent of bushfires, effectively allowing one in five fires to grow beyond initial attack. (From DEECAS’s Annual Report 2024-25, page 60. See graph below)

According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Annual Report 2024–25, the government’s target for “fires contained at first attack and/or within five hectares” sits well below what frontline agencies have actually achieved in each of the past five years.

“We know that the frontline firefighters were doing everything they could to protect our communities in the most recent devastating bushfires, as they always do,” says Sue McKinnon, President of Kinglake Friends of the Forest, “But they are operating with outdated equipment and without the support of new technology in rapid detection and suppression – because the government has decided there’s no need to prioritise putting out 20 per cent of bushfires that threaten communities, properties and the environment.”

“Setting a target well below current achievement is effectively a declaration by the current government that what we’re doing now is more than sufficient, keeping fires small is not a priority. This low priority is reflected in funding, equipment, research, and personnel. Firefighting agencies are up in arms about their ancient failing trucks and equipment. Promising research in the use of drones and other technologies in rapid detection and suppression of bushfires is left to wither.”

“We are deeply concerned that without an ambitious target, rapid suppression will continue to compete poorly for funding against more visible, and more contentious, programs like planned burning and the construction of so-called fuel breaks. These practices have evidence stacking up against them as effective bushfire mitigations, whereas we all agree that putting out fires quickly saves lives, property and wildlife”.

“Right now we do not have the technology or personnel to safely contain 100 per cent of bushfires while they are small. But without aiming for this we won’t invest in the new research, equipment and training that will get us there. We need ambitious, risk-adjusted targets that will power investment into rapid detection and suppression of bushfires while keeping fire crews safe.”

Commentary from firefighters

Both CFA and FRV firefighters allege the proceeds from the State Government’s new Emergency Services tax is not going to the frontlines.

Comments from firefighting agencies highlighting lack of government funding and outdated equipment and conditions:

• firecrisis.com.au: “currently 42 per cent of FRV fire trucks are out of date, dangerous, and should be off the road.  By the 2026 State Election, 64 per cent of fire trucks will be out of date, dangerous, and should be off the road. Fire trucks are failing daily. Firefighters’ protective equipment has been compromised.  Any of these factors result in firefighters’ lives being put at risk – as well as members of the community and their families.”
• Firefighters Union Facebook post, January 10, 2026: “Yesterday’s catastrophic fire conditions exposed a dangerous truth: multiple Fire Rescue Victoria trucks were out of service because the fleet is old and not fit for purpose. This isn’t bad luck — it’s neglect. Firefighters were left without reliable equipment on one of the most dangerous days in recent years.”
• Taggerty CFA Facebook post, January 11, 2026: “Despite being in her 4th decade of service Taggerty Tanker 1 has been hard at it still.The old girl is now 33 years in service and one of the oldest in the CFA fleet. Headlights like candles, no airbags, no ABS and lap sash style seat belts. On the plus side the tape deck works and you can feel nostalgic as you rumble down the road. If there is a tail wind it can nearly do the speed limit to [sic]!”
• John Houston, President of the CFA Volunteer Group, 12 January, 2026: “In this day and age, the situation is unacceptable. These CFA tankers may have been the pride of the fleet 30+ years ago, but Standards have changed. Risks have changed. Expectations have changed. Safety laws have changed.

We constantly hear governments talk about purchasing vehicles with the highest possible ANCAP safety ratings. Yet a significant proportion of frontline fire tankers were built before ANCAP safety ratings even existed. Tankers roaring around in often smoke blinding conditions without airbags etc is a disaster waiting to happen.

That contradiction puts firefighters at risk and by extension, the communities we serve.”

Australian Rural & Regional News has sought a response to this article from the Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio. The Minister’s response will be published when received.