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Above normal bushfire potential is predicted for much of Australia over the coming months, according to the first national assessment from climatologists, meteorologists and fire agency staff.
Eucalypts are arguably the defining feature of Australia’s flora. There are more than 800 species of eucalypts and their range in Australia extends from sub-alpine areas, through wet and dry coastal forests, to temperate woodlands and the arid inland. There are only about 12 species of eucalypt that occur naturally outside Australia, and only two species are not found in Australia.
Many wildland firefighter deaths and injuries in Australia and overseas have resulted from firefighters being surprised and overtaken by a fast-moving fire - both on foot and in vehicles, in both grass and forest environments.
The mysteries of climate change are being explored across the high plains and mountain forests of Australia through a study trying to unravel the complex interaction among water yield, fire, drought and long term changes in climate.
Investigations into accidents or near miss events on the fireground mostly focus on finding out the details of what happened, with relatively little consideration given to the thoughts and mental processes driving the firefighters’ decisions.
A research review commissioned by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre has identified some important differences in the performance of different types of smoke alarms.
A unique mobile laboratory is measuring greenhouse gases in Australia’s high country. The fully-self contained laboratory is housed within a 4WD vehicle and trailer and includes sophisticated scientific equipment that takes continuous measurements of CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Australia has about 250,000 volunteer firefighters but for the past 30 years memberships have been declining. Fire agencies fear that if the decline persists a shortage of volunteer firefighters may emerge that degrades the provision of fire services.

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Posted: 10 years 4 months ago

After 11 years, we are about to enter the last month of your Bushfire CRC. It has been an incredible journey since 2003.

For me, what has stood out the most, notwithstanding the ground breaking research, is the culture change the industry has undertaken throughout this period. At the heart of this has been the close partnership between the Bushfire CRC and AFAC. The...

Posted: 10 years 4 months ago

There is only a month left of the Bushfire CRC, but there is plenty of activity going on. The Research to Drive Change series has been launched, with two successful online forums held. Keep your eyes peeled to the...

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Recent FireNotes

Fire Note 137: In the 2003 Canberra bushfires, a number of unusual fires were observed in which bushfire spread sideways in a diagonal or crosswise direction to...

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