'Twice the size of urban Ballarat': the scale of the Streatham fire revealed

The smoke has cleared over Skipton, Carranballac, and Streatham, but for a community whose landscape has been changed by January's grass fire emergency the hardest work is just beginning.

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Four weeks after the fire tore through 20,000 hectares on January 9 between Carranballac and Skipton, the focus has shifted from survival to the "frustrating" reality of red tape and recovery.

Skipton farmer and volunteer Megan Read said many had only 15 minutes' warning to evacuate or stay.

Skipton farmer Megan Read said many farmers impacted by January's fire now faces insurance challenges and red tape. Picture by Adam Spencer

"That is traumatic in itself if you've got 15 minutes to get out, pack your stuff or decide to stay," she said.

"To think that a whole community has gone through that one major traumatic event is actually quite surreal. It wasn't a slow burn, it wasn't days. That's why it's going to take a long time to recover not only physically but mentally."

She said the fire reached just hundreds of metres away from the Skipton township.

"So that day there were reports of the fire front traveling up to 80kmh," she said.

"We've all got private tankers, so that pretty much saved the Skipton area that day. More than 120 private tankers attended that fire as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

"There's one story, of a farmer down Skipton way - his old truck could only do 60kmh and the fire just bypassed it."

The speed and intensity of the fire was echoed by CFA volunteer Vernan Dawson and farmer Ben Cameron, who estimated the blaze travelled 40 kilometres in about two hours.

The impact zone stretches from Streatham to Skipton. Map: VicEmergency

The struggle with 'smoke and mirrors'

While immediate needs like water and stock containment are under control, Ms Read said many of the just over 200 people directly affected by the disaster are facing some real challenges.

"We had 20,000 hectares of the region that was burnt ... it's twice the size of urban Ballarat," she said.

"There was 16 houses burned. It'll probably take on average two to three years to recover from that."

She said the reality for the community now is navigating insurance.

"The reports that we are getting back is a lot of (properties are) under-insured," Ms Read said.

"We are really going to work hard to support people to rebuild what they rightfully should be able to do. The clean up is well under way - that's been a huge effort."

Ms Read, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said housing has emerged as the most urgent priority.

With 16 houses destroyed and many farmworker residences lost, some families have already been forced to leave the area.

"Just the cost to replace (infrastructure) and then that red tape to replace as well. The permit process and then just even building out here," she said.

"We're working behind the scenes and advocating at all levels of government for that. That is frustrating and a slow process that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

"That's an immediate priority that can't be dealt with in 12 months' time, that has to be happening now. With kit homes and modular homes that that can be achieved, it's just unfortunate that red tape and bureaucracy holds that up. That just shouldn't happen."

Ms Read said the fire burnt in three local government areas: Ararat Rural City, the Pyrenees Shire and the Corangamite Shire.

"They have been fantastic," she said.

"Because of particular community leaders advocating, things have happened quicker. We've got direct contact with those shires now, so we're really really pushing hard for those immediate responses to help.

"In terms of state and federal assistance I think there's a bit of smoke and mirrors with that help, but again we just have to have to push and push."

Thousands of kilometres of fence line was destroyed. Picture by Lachlan Bence

A community of 'tired resilience'

The fire is the latest in a string of compounding natural disasters, including floods and two droughts over the past four years, topped off with the tragedy of the deaths of two men in a ute crash on Thursday, February 5.

The scale of loss is staggering. Ms Read said more than 10,000 stock has easily been lost, and the loss of iconic 100-year-old plantations has changed the region's landscape.

"This area here is predominantly farming... 30 per cent of the employment in the area is directly related to agriculture," Ms Read said.

"You need us, but we need you now. Please help us rebuild. Don't forget your country cousins".

Support a 'godsend'

While the challenges are significant, the outpouring of support from Ballarat and beyond has been a "godsend" to the communities impacted.

"The generosity and the donations coming in is overwhelming for everyone," Ms Read said.

"I'm talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars of things donated. Practical donations - clothing, boots - because people's boots melted on the day - and just things like fencing supplies, tools, just real practical support that people need right now. That's been so heartwarming actually.

"We have a group called 'The Skipton to Streatham Fire Recovery Group', and in collaboration with Foodbank in Skipton, we are putting together hampers, delivering those sort of pantry items, as well as some other goods. Foodbank have been instrumental with that.

"It's also just checking in, getting a visual on that family and making sure they're ok and then being able to offer or link them up with support systems and organisations."

Megan Read with a hamper full of donations for families impacted by the fire. Picture by Adam Spencer

"This is the biggest camp in this cluster I've had since COVID-19".

Skipton resident Jane Mills said she wanted to help out to say thanks to the firefighters. Picture by Lachlan Bence

In the kitchen at the BlazeAid camp Skipton resident Jane Mills said she put her hand up to volunteer on the first day.

"The only way it's affected me was the asthma, and snakes in my yard," she said.

"I decided to come here and give back to the community, to say thank you to all of the volunteers who fought the fire.

"The way the Skipton community got together and helped is amazing. Everyone from outside that have helped is incredible. We're just a big little family."

Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14.

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