A guide to cropland fire reconstruction – project update

A procedural guide for undertaking consistent bushfire investigation case studies is being produced by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Tactical Research Fund project Cropland fire behaviour. Fire agencies, managers and farmers are set to benefit from the project, which is investigating crop fires to strengthen Victoria’s ability to model and predict fire in these landscapes.

After extensive consultation with stakeholders, the research team led by Miguel Cruz from CSIRO developed a draft cropland fire reconstruction guide. A summary of the guide was presented in November 2018 via the AFAC Predictive Services Practitioners (Bushfire) Network. The webinar was aimed at key regional Fire Behaviour Analysts and first responders to assist the development of case studies on bushfires in the 2018/2019 fire season.

The preparation of only two reconstructions was possible in the 2018/2019 fire season, as drought led to poor yields and an overall decrease in the number of cropland fires during the season. The project will remain open to conduct more case studies over the 2019/20 fire season.

The Cropland fire behaviour project is a collaboration between the CRC, CSIRO, Victorian Country Fire Authority, South Australian Country Fire Service, Victorian Department of Land, Water and Planning and New South Wales Rural Fire Service.