Report released into Lancefield bushfire that destroyed homes after planned burn went wrong

A PLANNED burn that went wrong and broke containment lines last month in Lancefield, Victoria, has been slammed as “unacceptable”.

The fire approaches a Benloch home. Homes under threat in Benloch as the Lancefield fire still burns out of control. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A PLANNED burn that went wrong and broke containment lines last month has been slammed as “unacceptable”.

The Lancefield community was this morning being briefed on why the fire was able to spread out of control in early October.

The Government today released the findings of an independent investigation into the Lancefield Cobaw fire, which started from a planned burn that jumped containment lines.

The investigation has made 42 findings and 22 recommendations and found the Department of Environment, Land, Water and planning must do more to improve the way risk for is assessed for planned burns.

The department will also have to improve its accountability and governance structures, ensure contingency plans are in place and engage more with the community about planned burns.

Environment Minister Lisa Neville said the Lancefield fire was “unacceptable”.

“What occurred in Lancefield was unacceptable and the Department will now work hard to ensure it has better systems and processes in place to help rebuild community trust in planned burning.

“The Inspector General for Emergency Management will oversee the Department’s progress on implementing the recommendations and will provide regular updates to Lancefield and other local areas.”

Victoria’s targets for planned burns will also undergo a major overhaul.

Fire agencies will no longer work toward a target for the number of hectares of land burnt.

Instead from 1 July 2016 a risk reduction target will be used for burns on public land.

The Government said this would “lower the impact of a major bushfire on lives and properties of Victorians by nearly a third”.

As part of the new target fire and lang management agencies will be forced to partner with locals to reduce bushfire risks and CFA experts will work more closely with residents when organising planned burns.

“In the past the approach to planned burning has been driven by a target, not by focusing on the areas of high risk. We will now work to reduce the risk of bushfire by focusing on high risk areas and listening to locals,” Ms Neville said.