Black Summer fires royal commission receives 400 submissions, victims call for extension

Victims say deadlines for the royal commission into Australia's summer bushfire crisis are too tight and that many are unaware the probe is underway. The commission, which is aiming to hand down its findings before the next fire season, has received only 400 submissions so far, prompting calls for an extension.

Cobargo Rural Fire Service volunteer David Rugendyke, who lost his home in the deadly Badja Forest Road Fire on New Year's Eve, said many victims were not in a position to have their voices heard.

Key points:

There are fears that important evidence will not be heard by the Bushfire Royal Commission, with the deadline for submissions set for later this month

Fire-affected residents say some people are still living in tents and don't have access to telecommunications

The royal commission has received 400 submissions about the Black Summer fires, which claimed 33 lives, burnt 10 million hectares and destroyed 3,000 homes