Series of errors led to Lancefield fire

THE RUN-AWAY LANCEFIELD-COBAW PLANNED BURN

* Lit on Sept 30, escapes on Oct 3, then again on Oct 6 - the earliest total fire ban day ever in Victoria

* Meant to burn 266 hectares but claims 3000ha including four homes, some sheds and kilometres of fencing

* Contained on October 13

REPORT FINDS:

* Significant shortcomings in risk assessment and oversight

* Daily forecasts needed for a burn of this level of risk

* Not enough department firefighters patrolling the fire while CFA firefighters were not initially asked to help.

* A planned burn escaped in the same area in 2003 so risk should have been known

* Of 6427 planned burns in Victoria over the past decade, fewer than two per cent (71 burns) jump containment lines

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE INCLUDES:

* Annual hectare target for planned burns in favour of "risk reduction" target

WHAT THEY SAID:

"In hindsight, it tells us that burn shouldn't have been lit based on a full assessment." - Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley on the risk assessment

"I am very sorry, deeply sorry, for the distress this fire has caused you and the destruction and the enormous impacts it's had on your lives." - Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning secretary Adam Fennessy tells residents in Lancefield

"It's the first time that we have heard any public apology, and I think it was brilliant to hear it." - Lancefield resident Gwen Cianci