VICTORIA"S Country Fire Authority has defended the controversial 'stay and defend' policy where home owners remain on their properties to fight bushfires.
CFA Chief Fire Officer Russell Rees says it's based on sound evidence, which shows the most dangerous place to be is on the road.
He says a late departure is always the most deadly.
Rather than changing the policy, Mr Rees said its application and the lack of an alternative policy needs to be worked on.
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The head of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service has defended the stay or go early policy.
Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the policy is sound.
He says the research of past events and experience in New South Wales on the fire ground shows that this policy has worked.
Mr Fitzsimmons says New South Wales authorities will learn from the fires in Victoria and make any changes that are necessary.
AAP