Despite the rain, thousands of volunteer firefighters from across Victoria took part in the torchlight procession, following in the footsteps of volunteers since 1873.

The march is one of the highlights of the State Fire Championships.

RUSSELL REES, Chief Fire Officer:This has to be one of the coolest Mildura days I've ever had! But it's been terrific competition and it's a great, great time, and it's a great celebration of volunteerism in Victoria.

Seventy-two teams including from the Shepparton, Sunraysia, Traralgon, Bendigo, Warrnambool regions have slugged it out for the past three days.

RUSSELL REES: This is what CFA is about, they come together, they celebrate, they have a good time and it's all about competition and friendly rivalry.

Competition was tough with more than three records broken.

Although last year's champions didn't have the smoothest run.

DOM KEATING, Maryvale: We put a fair bit of time into it, we start training back in October, we probably train and put a bit more into it than some of the other teams, it hasn't gone to plan so far this weekend, but oh well, that's life.

Drouin/Bunyip won the individual ladder race in six point six five seconds.

While the Echuca brigade won the pumper and ladder race.

PETER WHITE, Vice President Urban, VFBV: There's a number of stand out performers so far, Echuca, Wendouree running fairly well in the a-class sections.

Next year's championships will be held at Bendigo.