This project investigated the conditions leading to forest fires and their effect on fire intensity. The relationship between soil moisture and high temperature anomalies leading to increased forest fire risk was used to produce fire intensity risk maps, which will improve fire risk estimation and the forest fire danger indices. 

The research developed though this study contributes to a better understanding of the land-climate processes leading to forest fires and their intensity, and has the capacity to assist land managers with better allocation of water resources across Australia. Evidence through the research showed that fire intensity increases logarithmically with decreasing moisture.

This project was completed in September 2018.