This is a recording of the first webinar in the National Fire Fuels Science Webinar series, hosted by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the Australian Academy of Science.

This live webinar took place on 6 May 2020 across several locations in Australia, discussing the topic: ‘The thing about hazard reduction: why is it so difficult and divisive?’

Speakers include:

• 0:20 Dr Richard Thornton, Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC
• 3:58 Gary Morgan, Global Wildland Fire Management Services
• 6:05 Dr Sarah Harris, Country Fire Authority
• 13:35 Sascha Rundle, ABC Emergency Broadcasting
• 22:34 Oliver Costello, Firesticks Alliance
• 30:12 Justin Leonard, CSIRO

For more information about this webinar series, including the presentation slides from this video, visit the National Fire Fuels Science webinars page.

Links to publications mentioned by Dr Richard Thornton:

Leavesley A, Wouters M, Thornton R (2020) Prescribed burning in Australasia: The science, practice and politics of burning the bush, Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and The Centre of Prescribed Burning. Available from the AFAC Shop from late May 2020: www.afac.com.au/auxiliary/shop

Adaptive prescribed burning in Australia for the early 21st century – context, status, challenges. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 29 (4 and 5).

Watch webinar two in the series here.

Watch webinar three in the series here. 

Watch Sascha Rundle's follow up Q&A here.