Timber Towns Victoria (TTV), Media Release, 21 January 2026

Victoria must embrace a coordinated, science-based approach to fire management in the wake of the state’s largest major bushfires in years, which saw more than 400,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land burnt, destroying hundreds of structures, and claiming life during catastrophic fire conditions.

That is according to Timber Towns Victoria, which represents eleven municipal councils across the state’s north, east and west. President Cr Karen Stephens said the fires reinforced what forest scientists have long understood — that prescribed burning and the strategic use of “good fire” must play a central role in reducing landscape-scale risk.

“A coordinated proactive fire management approach, guided by scientific evidence, needs to be prioritised as a key method of reducing the future risk of catastrophic fires of this intensity.” Cr Stephens said.

At the height of the emergency, Victoria faced several major fires simultaneously, with data from emergency authorities showing more than 100 separate burnt areas since January 5. The Longwood and Walwa fires alone each exceeded 100,000 hectares, while many smaller ignitions were contained quickly.

Stephens points to Forestry Australia’s Forest Fire Management Position Statement, released in June 2023, which stressed that fire is an inherent part of the Australian landscape and cannot be eliminated without consequences. “It stresses that effective fire management must be grounded in decades of research, Traditional Owner knowledge, and coordinated action across all land tenures – public and private,” she said.

The statement, prepared by a number of Australia’s top forestry professionals and scientists, argues that prevention, and not just emergency response, must be prioritised, with year-round vegetation management, risk-appropriate land use planning, and the strategic use of prescribed burning, cultural burning and mechanical fuel reduction forming the backbone of resilient landscapes. In addition, it also highlights the importance of rapid detection, with shorter detection-to-response times significantly increasing the likelihood of containing new ignitions.

These principles have been thrown into sharp relief as the scale of the current disaster becomes clearer. The Mt Lawson–Walwa and Longwood fires have destroyed extensive areas of pine plantations, delivering the industry’s most significant plantation losses in years and placing pressure on regional communities, agriculture and the forestry supply chain.

According to the Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA), losses in plantation losses has been substantial. VFPA Chief Executive Officer Andrew White said the fires had damaged “critical parts of Victoria’s housing supply chain”, noting that softwood plantations underpin the manufacture of paper, packaging, framing, trusses and other essential building products.

“Our plantation sector is resilient and well-established, and industry is working closely across the supply chain to manage the impacts of the fires while continuing to support housing delivery,” White said.

Mr White nonetheless commended the “extraordinary efforts” of emergency services, particularly Forest Fire Management Victoria, the CFA and Forest Industry Brigades, which he described as “an integral part of Victoria’s fire response capability, bringing local knowledge, specialised equipment and experience in plantation fire behaviour”.

Cr Stephens highlighted the dedication of the emergency response services

“We acknowledge and commend the outstanding efforts of fire fighters and all the emergency services personnel who have worked tirelessly to protect lives, landscapes and livelihoods.” Cr Stephens said

Timber Towns Victoria highlights the importance of the forestry sector which underpins local jobs, regional economies and essential building and fibre products.

“Now is the time for the Victorian Government to act in prioritising proactive fire management, strengthen support for the forestry sector and commit to reforms that reduce risk, build resilience, and ensure communities are better protected in the future.”

“This fire season must be a turning point. We call on government to listen, learn and lead.”