Submitted by daniel on Wed, 29/07/2026 - 06:35 Picture Image Description A report into Victoria's 2026 summer bushfires has found critical failures in digital systems severely hampered firefighting efforts at Skipton, Carranballac and Streatham. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Save 30% All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area The inquiry was told that ground observers mapping fire edges around the state on the catastrophic fire day of Friday, January 9, experienced system overloads that stopped real-time data from uploading to incident control centres. An inquiry into the 2026 Victorian summer bushfires that impacted areas including Skipton, Carranballac and Streatham, has made 88 recommendations to the Victorian Government. Picture by Kate Healy Fire Rescue Victoria leading firefighter and ground observer Lachlan Butterfield told the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee that mapping software collapsed under heavy user volume, forcing crews to manually send critical data. Mr Butterfield was deployed to the Harcourt fire, but said ground observers at the Skipton, Carranballac and Streatham fire faced identical delays where real-time tracking systems failed during peak weather conditions. "I was deployed to the Harcourt fire, but ground observers at the Skipton fire also told me that they were facing the same issues that I was facing," he told the inquiry. "The information I was capturing was not uploading. I had raised concerns that morning that it was struggling to upload information." Losses contribute to mental health pressures The fire burnt 20,000 hectares and 16 homes in the area, with both the Corangamite Shire and Pyrenees Shire highlighting the mental health impact of recovering from the losses. "Corangamite Shire Council's submission highlighted the impact of the fires on primary producers. It reported that 'over 7000 sheep (were) lost' and 'over 1100km of fencing (was) impacted'," the report said. "The submission also showed that the effects on agriculture continue well beyond the initial fire event, noting that 'mental health pressures' remain significant for 'primary producers facing prolonged clean-up, livestock disposal, water access and fencing backlogs'." The Courier previously reported on the challenges residents impacted by the fire have faced. Six months after the blaze, residents said they were still battling bureaucracy, complex and delayed debris removal, and warned the Skipton Recreation Reserve - the town's current place of last resort - remained deeply unfit for purpose. Recovery efforts are bolstered by BlazeAid volunteers who are working to clear land, plant trees and build new fencing and gates to help farmers and residents get back on their feet. BlazeAid relies solely on donations, mostly through its social media channels. It has six camps in operation around Australia, four of which are in Victoria. Calls for equipment upgrades The inquiry was also told firefighters are still being sent into extreme bushfires aboard single-cab tankers lacking modern crew protection, leaving crew members exposed to intense heat and smoke in rear-facing seats. One volunteer warned that outdated equipment, aging infrastructure and a lack of basic station facilities were directly undermining volunteer recruitment and retention across regional Victoria. It was also revealed that operational volunteer numbers in the CFA have fallen by 26 per cent over the past decade, with 802 single-cab tankers still remaining in frontline service. Long list of recommendations The report made 88 recommendations, among them the establishment of a state-funded clean-up program for major fire events that can operate regardless of insurance status. As it happens Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Weekdays The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Weekdays The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Daily Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Daily Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. 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