A decade of advancements on fire weather

Five of Australia’s leading fire weather experts discussed the scientific advancements of fire weather forecasting at a public event on 5 February.

Run by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS), the event on fire weather, ‘A decade on: lessons from Black Saturday’, featured CRC experts Dr Mika Peace and CEO Dr Richard Thornton.

Alongside them on the panel were Prof Michael Reeder from Monash University, CRC end-user Dr Paul Fox-Hughes from the Bureau of Meteorology and CFA’s Deputy Chief Officer, Alen Slijepcevic.

The panel discussed the leadup and events behind the Black Saturday bushfires, the decade of research since and the way fire weather is now forecast.

Prof Michael Reeder spoke on the weather and meteorology of the day– why was it so severe and the driving force that low pressure systems have on bushfires in south east Australia.

CRC end-user from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Paul Fox-Hughes, looked at the developments and insights that came out of Black Saturday, leading to the trial of the new National Fire Danger Rating System.

Dr Peace focused on the advances of meteorology research in her talk, helping to understand the link of weather and the Black Saturday fires.

Her research has focused on the effects that wind-patterns can have on fire and the way it can act. From understanding the effects and causes of pyrocumulonimbus, the advancements in satellite technology and the ways in which downslope winds can spread embers and effect fire behaviour; her research and knowledge were essential during the 2018 Queensland bushfires.

Alen Slijepcevic spoke about the advancements that have been made in the emergency services sector since 2009 and how research has helped CFA develop their systems and processes. Mr Slijepcevic highlighted improvements in protective clothing and fire truck protection as key developments for CFA, as well as a better understanding of grassland fire behaviour.

CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton rounded out the talks with an overview of other advancements in bushfire research outside of fire weather over the last decade, as well as future decision making, resource management and community warnings. A recurring element was that weather as was experienced on Black Saturday will occur again, and so understanding how the community reacts and risk is understood and how warning messages are enacted on is essential.