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A firefighting aircraft dropped only one load of fire retardant on fires near Ballarat last weekend before returning to Sydney.
The United Firefighters Union said the DC-10 aircraft returned to Sydney because it cannot be reloaded with retardant in Victoria.
Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley confirmed the aircraft must be reloaded in Sydney but said the NSW-based aircraft was only needed once.
The aircraft carries 45,00 litres of retardant.
Twelve houses near Scotsburn were destroyed by fires on the weekend.
UFU secretary Peter Marshall said the cost of the retardant was $250,000 for a load for the DC-10.
He said firefighters were "mystified" when the plane flew from Sydney to Ballarat and dropped one load of retardant.
"It's like sending a fire truck from Melbourne to a house fire in Mildura, emptying its tank, then heading back to Melbourne for more water," Mr Marshall said.
Mr Lapsley said the DC-10 was not required to come back to Victoria after returning to Sydney on Saturday afternoon. He said 53 aircraft were operating on Saturday.
Mr Lapsley said the DC-10 was part of a national fleet and is based in Sydney. However, he said the aircraft and its reloading equipment may be moved to Victoria early next year.
The Scotsburn fire also destroyed 23 sheds.
Two houses were badly damaged in addition to the 12 destroyed. The fire had burnt 4000 hectares by Sunday.
