The meeting, being held at the Savoy Club in Myrtleford in the state's north-east, was opened by the chief commissioner, Justice Bernard Teague, who asked the residents to help the commission prioritise its areas of focus under its "extraordinarily wide" terms of reference.

"You are here because we want you to talk about your experiences and let us have your views in relation to the events of last month, the devastating fires as they have affected your area," Justice Teague said.

The residents, drawn from surrounding towns including Mudgegonga, Barwidgee Creek and Upper Gundowring, have been asked to discuss what impact the fires have had on their community and what would help them rebuild.

They have also been asked what worked and what didn't work to prepare their towns for the fires and what could be done to better prepare communities in the future.

A local couple, John and Sue Wilson from Mudgegonga, were among the 210 people who died in the Black Saturday fires that swept through towns across the state.

Mr Teague told the meeting that Red Cross counsellors were on hand to support anyone who needed it.

He also said members of the police Operation Phoenix investigating the fires would be available to talk to locals at the Myrtleford police station after the session finished.

And he urged participants to file formal written submissions to the royal commission. Advertisements appeared in newspapers today calling for submissions, which can be made online or through the post.

The Myrtleford meeting is the first of 23 community consultations in 12 fire-affected communities. It is expected to run for about 90 minutes and has been closed to the media following Mr Teague's opening statement.