Research to explore NSW bushfires

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC will head up a taskforce to conduct important research in fire-affected areas of NSW.

In January and February 2017 parts of NSW experienced its worst fire conditions. Several regions experiencing ‘catastrophic’ fire danger ratings for the first time, with bushfires sweeeping through many parts of NSW, including the Warrumbungle and Queanbeyan-Palerang areas.

The research, commissioned by the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), will involve a field research taskforce conducting community-focused research in three of the locations hit hardest by the Currandooley, Sir Ivan and Carwoola bushfires.

These three fires resulted in significant losses with dozens of homes and livestock lost, and many hundreds of kilometres of fencing destroyed. Many other communities were also threatened by bushfire, but escaped direct impact. Researchers have already begun their field work in areas affected by the Carwoola fire, with Currandooley and Sir Ivan to occur soon.

The research team is being led by Dr Joshua Whittaker of the University of Wollongong and includes experienced researchers in Dr Christine Eriksen, also of the University of Wollongong, and Dr Mel Taylor of Macquarie University.

The research will focus on community planning and preparedness and the effectiveness and responses to information and public warning messages. Researchers will conduct interview and surveys with community members to help the NSW RFS understand how communities react to a bushfire, and inform the RFS’ engagement with communities, before, during and after bushfire.

“Learning what worked, and what did not, after an emergency, is vital to ensure communities are prepared for bushfires like the ones experienced in the Warrumbungle and Queanbeyan-Palerang areas,” lead researcher Dr Whittaker said.

“The vital research that follows major fires such as these, and other natural hazards, is only possible through the national approach taken by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.”

This research will build on similar research conducted by the NSW Rural Fire Service and the CRC after the fires in the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Port Stephens in October 2013, said Dr Whittaker.

“The Rural Fire Service is committed to community education and engagement, and the findings from this research will add further value to the studies untaken after the 2013 fires.”