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Predicting and preparing for bushfires

Bushfires are part of life in Australia, and when they burn out of control near populated areas can cause significant loss of life and property.

CSIRO has been conducting bushfire research for over 70-years.

Bushfires can start in a variety of ways, but there are three factors that contribute to the behaviour of a bushfire.

The weather, the vegetation and the terrain.

[Image of a green map of Australia with a flame in the middle of it appears on screen]

Narrator: Bushfires are part of life in Australia,

[Animation shows clusters of flames moving through grasslands and consuming a house]

and when they burn out of control near populated areas can cause significant loss of life and property.

CSIRO has been conducting bushfire research for over 60-years.

[Animation changes to show three circles with representative icons in them]

Bushfires can start in a variety of ways, but there are three factors that contribute to the behaviour of a bushfire.

[Animation changes to show a triangle with three representative icons, as described below in them, surrounded by a flame]

The weather, the vegetation and the terrain.

[Animation changes to show a Bushfire Danger Rating with the arrow on the Low-Moderate section]

Fire Danger Ratings for Australia’s two predominant types of vegetation, grasslands and forests, 

[Animation changes to show four circles with representative icons in them as described below]

are based on wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity and rainfall.

[CSIRO logo appears at the bottom of the screen with the words Fire Danger Model and Statistical Analysis alongside the logo]

By analysing observations and forecasts of these variables CSIRO can estimate the likelihood of fire weather and potential severity of bushfire occurrence anywhere in Australia, now and into the future.

[Animation changes to show a pixelated map of Australia in the middle of a graph showing the increase in frequency of fire weather]

Over recent decades we’ve seen an increase in the frequency and severity of fire weather in Australia.  We predict that many regions will see a significant increase in the probability of the highest levels of fire danger in the years ahead.

[Animation changes to show a house with a family of four standing out front surrounded by grasslands]

CSIRO is developing the science and tools to enable communities to better understand the changing profile of their bushfire risk and help them develop effective, locally relevant plans to protect property and life.

[CSIRO logo appears on screen with text: To learn more about bushfire prevention and response in your area, contact your local fire authority.]

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Creating a bushfire ready nation

CSIRO is involved in a range of bushfire-related research including:

  • predicting bushfire behaviour
  • Managing and suppressing bushfires
  • studying the impact of bushfires on infrastructure
  • understanding air pollutants as a result of bushfires
  • smoke forecasting for bushfires and prescribed burns
  • building community resilience
  • preparing for climate change and extreme events

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