Fire chief quits over response to blazes

The man who was fire chief during the deadly 2009 Australian wildfires that killed 173 people resigned following criticism of his performance.

Russell Rees, chief of Victoria state's Country Fire Authority, said today he was clearing the way for a new chief to implement changes to the organisation.

A commission reviewing the February 7, 2009, wildfires said Mr Rees was not actively involved in organising the fight against the country's worst-ever fires.

Mr Rees had more than a year left on his contract. When asked about his mistakes on the day known as Black Saturday, he said those issues were a matter for the commission.