Inquiry underway into 2026 summer fires across Victoria
19 February 2026 Make a submission
A wide‑ranging parliamentary inquiry has been launched into the devastating 2026 summer fires, with Victorians affected by the crisis invited to share their lived experiences.
The Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Committee has opened public submissions as part of its investigation into the fires, which swept across the state throughout January.
Committee Chair Ryan Batchelor said the scale and impact of the disaster made community input essential.
'The fires across Victoria this summer have had a profound impact on the people affected,' Mr Batchelor said.
The summer fires resulted in one death, destroyed more than 500 structures and burned over 400,000 hectares of public and private land.
The inquiry will examine a broad range of issues, including:
- Preparation and planning by government, emergency services and local communities
- Management of public and private land
- Emergency responses during the fires
- Resilience of critical services and infrastructure
- Resourcing of fire agencies and support for volunteers
- Recovery efforts in impacted communities
- Environmental impact
- Lessons learned from previous inquiries and Royal Commissions
Mr Batchelor said the inquiry would also consider the 'causes and circumstances' of the bushfire events, including the effects of climate change.
Victorians are encouraged to make a submission by the 15 March 2026 closing date.
The full terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.
A report is required to be tabled in Parliament by 1 June 2026.