Focus on firestorms, disaster resilience and preparation in Bangladesh

Firestorms, disaster resilience and fire preparation in Bangladesh are featured in the latest edition of Fire Australia magazine. Issue One for 2017 is now available and highlights important research into extreme bushfire weather, disaster resilience education for all facets of life and a wrap of the International Day for Disaster Reduction.

The cover article reviews the extreme weather which lashed South Australia in September and October 2016. Over nine days, a series of cold fronts brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall, floods and storm tides to central and eastern districts of the state, but South Australia's emergency services were up to the task.

Research into extreme bushfires has been unveiled in Firestorms: the bushfire/thunderstorm hybrids. Project leader Associate Professor Jason Sharples explains how firestorms are formed and what further research needs to be done to improve our understanding of extreme bushfires.

Live to tell the tale reflects on last year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction and how the CRC is supporting the movement through an annual Australian event. In October 2016 the CRC held a forum featuring five speakers, each who spoke about what it means to survive a natural disaster from a range of perspectives.

A new initiative which is ‘teaching’ disaster resilience to students is also featured. CRC researcher Dr Benjamin Brooks and his colleagues at the University of Tasmania have developed an undergraduate course to provide students with the skills and understanding that allow them to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

The magazine also highlights how the CRC's Dr Briony Towers has partnered with World Vision Australia and Google to help communities in Bangladesh prepare for fire with the fire detector device, Lumkani.

Fire Australia is a joint publication of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, AFAC and the Fire Protection Association Australia. Produced quarterly, each edition will now be numbered one through four, rather than seasons.

Find this and previous editions of Fire Australia at www.bnhcrc.com.au/news/fire-australia.