national research priorities to 2020 and beyond · 2 12345627890resar8c262hr r6382....

National Research Priorities to 2020 and BeyondNational Bushfire Management Policy Statement for Forests and Rangelands

Australia and New Zealand’s Forest Fire Management Group

Edition 2, May 2013

Cover photograph:

2009 fuel reduction burn in high elevation, long unburnt native forest, Namadgi, ACT (photo: Neil Cooper, ACT Parks and Conservation Service).

1National Research Priorities to 2020 and Beyond

Contents

Purpose 2

Background 3Australia 3NewZealand 4

LandscapeFire 5

ThePolicyContext 7

TowardaResearchAgenda 8

ResearchPriorities 9ClimateChange 9TheIdentificationandMaintenanceofAppropriateFireRegimes 11RiskManagement 12WaterCatchmentManagement 12TheRoleofForestsandWoodlandsandFireRegimesinFloodMitigation 13TheRoleofIndigenousPeopleinLandManagement 13MaintainingaLandManagement‘SocialLicence’ 14TheUseofAircraft 14DevelopingandMaintaining‘ResearchInfrastructure’ 16WorkplaceHealthandSafety 16LegislationandPolicy 17ResearchImplementation 18

References 19

Appendix1–FFMGResearchThemes/Issues/ResearchQuestions 20

2 National Bushfire Management Policy Statement for Forests and Rangelands

2. TolistprioritylandscapefiremanagementresearchthemesformanagersofAustraliaandNewZealand’spubliclandstomeettheidentifiedneeds,to2020andbeyond.

3. Toidentifytherelatedspecificresearchquestions(whicharesummarisedinAppendix1).

Purpose

1. ToidentifytheresearchneedsrequiredtofundamentallyunderpintheimplementationoftheNationalBushfirePolicyStatementforForestandRangelands.

FirekilledAlpineAshinVictoria(photo:BushfireCRC).


Background

AustraliaOccupyinganentirecontinentofsome7.6millionsquarekilometres,Australiaisthesixthlargestcountryintheworld.Nearlysevenmillionsquarekilometres,or91percentofAustralia,iscoveredbynativevegetation.

AccordingtotheNationalForestInventory,Australiahas149millionhectaresofforest.Ofthis,147millionhectaresisnativeforest,dominatedbyeucalypt(79percent)andacacia(7percent),and1.82millionhectaresofplantations;whileAustralia’sChiefScientistrecordsgrasslandascoveringaround440millionhectaresofland.

FirehasbeensignificantinshapingthedistributionandcompositionofmuchofAustralia’sfloraandfauna.Manynativespecieshavedevelopedspecificmechanismstosurviveperiodicfire;somearefiredependentforcriticallifestages.

Thelongtermeffectoffireonplantsandanimalsvariesaccordingtosequencesoffireeventsratherthantoasinglefireevent.Sequencesoffireeventsareknownas‘fireregimes’.Fireregimesaredeterminedby:intensity,frequency(howoftenfiresoccurataplace),season(thetimeofyearfiresoccur),extent(howlargethefireisanditsspatialpattern),andtype(e.g.solelyabovegroundoralsoconsumingtheorganiclayerofsoil).

EcologicallyappropriatefireregimesacrossthelandscapeareimportantfortheprotectionofAustralia’sbiodiversity.Plantsandanimalsareadaptedtodifferentfireregimes.Forexample,theplanet’stallestfloweringplant,MountainAsh(Eucalyptusregnans)regeneratesfromseed,andthereforemaynotsurviveiffiresaretoofrequent,astheplantsneedtoreachmaturityandproducesufficientseedbeforethenextfireepisode.

Conversely,excludingfirefromsomelandscapesforlongperiodsandoverlargeareascanthreatenecosystemhealth.Forexample,therecanbenegativeconsequencesifaspeciesisnolongerabletoreproduceorifheavyfuelloadsaccumulateresultinginlarge,veryintenseandecologicallydamagingbushfires. FuelreductionburnACT(photo:BrianLevine).

Equally,somespeciesand/orecosystems,suchasrainforests,requirelongfire-freeintervalstoensuretheircontinuedpresence.

‘EcologicallyappropriatefireregimesacrossthelandscapeareimportantfortheprotectionofAustralia’sbiodiversity.’

IndigenouspeoplewereintegraltothedevelopmentofAustralianfireregimeswhichshapedthelandscapesfloraandfauna.Followingthemovementofnon-aboriginalpeopleintothislandscaperesultingingradualchangesinlandtenureandthecreationofbuiltassetsonasignificantscale,bushfirescametobeseenasAustralia’smostubiquitousnaturalhazard.Inmorerecentdecades,south-easternAustraliahascometobeviewed,withintheinternationalwildlandfirecommunity,asoneofthethreemostfire-proneregionsonEarth.


NewZealandEveryyearareaswithinNewZealandexperienceorarethreatenedbywildfire,andtherisksfromruralfiresaregrowing.Conversely,overthelast30yearsthedamagecausedbywildfirehasdeclinedsignificantly,withtheareaburntdroppingbyapproximatelyathird.Themajorreasonforthedeclinehasbeenchangesinmanagementofboththeareasinwhichwildfiresoccurandthetechniquesusedtomanagethemoncetheystart.Changingtechnologyhasplayedonlyaminorroleinthistrend.Decreasingdamage,whilerisksarerising,hasbeenasignificantachievementandamajorgainforallstakeholders.Appliedresearch,bothinNewZealandandinternationally,hasbeenthesinglelargestdeterminantofthechangesinmanagement.Researchintotheimpactsofclimatechange,landusechange,useoffire,carbonemissions,healthandsafety,andtheretentionofvolunteers–areallareaswhereabetterunderstandingtoassistfiremanagementarenecessary.

FuelreductiontrialsinNewZealand(photo:NRFANZ).

‘…supportofappliedresearchtofurtherourunderstandingofthewildfireenvironmentandhowitcanbemanaged.’

Forthisreasonallstakeholderswithintheruralfiresectorareinsupportofappliedresearchtofurtherourunderstandingofthewildfireenvironmentandhowitcanbemanaged.Theaimoftheforestandruralfireresearchprogramistoassistintheprotectionoflife,property,economicandconservationresourcesinNewZealand’sforestandrurallandmanagementenvironments.Theresearchprovideslandmanagers,policymakersandruralfirefighterswithbothinformationandtoolstohelpreducethenumberandconsequencesofwildfires.


LandscapeFire

HeavysmokefromaplantationfireinWesternAustralia(photo:WADEC).

InthewiderAustraliancommunity,fireisincreasinglyregardedasapartoftheenvironmentwithlargeforestandwoodlandfiresbeingunderstoodtooccurperiodically,bothpriortoandsinceEuropeansettlement.

InnorthernAustralia,fewyearspasswithoutlargeareasbeingburnt.Thesefiresgenerallyhaveacomparativelyloweconomicimpactduetothelimitedpopulationdensityandthedispersednatureofbuiltassets.Thepotentialenvironmentalimpactsfrompoorlyplannedorexecutedfireregimesarehowever,significant(negativeimpactscanincludethelossofnaturalbiodiversity,andincreasesinpestplantsandanimals).ThegreenhouseimplicationsofextensiveburninginnorthernAustraliaarealsoslowlybeingbetterunderstood.

InsouthernAustralialargefiresoftenhavesignificanteconomicandsocialimpacts.The2002–03and2006–07fireseasonsinsouth-easternAustralia,andmostparticularlythe2008–09seasonwerebad,withverysignificantareasofforestburnt,majorassetlossesoccurring,veryhighsuppressioncostsincurredandcomplexincidentmanagementarrangementsbeingrequired.Thetragic2009VictorianBlackSaturdayfiresandtheearly2013Tasmanian,NewSouthWalesandVictoriaeventsagainhighlightedthenegativeeconomic,socialandenvironmentalimpactsthatbushfirescanhave.

‘ThegreenhouseimplicationsofextensiveburninginnorthernAustraliaarealsoslowlybeingbetterunderstood.’

Ithasbeenestimated(Russell-Smithetal.2007)thatbetween30millionand70millionhectaresofAustraliaareaffectedbyfireannually,withseasonalfluctuationsbeinglargelyresponsiblefortheconsiderablevariation.

Over90percentoftheareaofAustraliaburntbyfireeachyearisfoundnorthoftheTropicofCapricorn,withburningoccurringduringthe‘dryseason’,generallybetweenAprilandNovember.

Mostoftheremainingburntareaisfoundinthetemperate,moredenselypopulatedsouthernregionofAustraliawithhighfiredangergenerallyoccurringbetweenDecemberandMarch.

Therearesignificantdifferencesbetweenthetypesoffiresthatoccurinnorthern,andinsouthernAustralia.NorthernAustralianfirestendtooccurinsavannahwoodlandsandinhummockgrasslands.Theamountoffuelintheseenvironmentsisgenerallylimitedandtheweatherconditionsinthedryseasonaregenerallystable.Maximumfireintensitiesinthesesituationsrarelyexceed20,000kilowattspermetre.DuringbushfiresinthemountainforestsofsouthernAustraliamaximumintensitiescanreachupto100,000kilowattspermetre.(Tolhurst,2004).


Atthesehighintensitieswhich,coincidentally,areecologicallynecessaryfortherenewalofthe‘ash’typehigheraltitudesinglespecieseucalyptforests,builtassetsandhumanlivescanbeputseverelyatrisk.

FromaNewZealandperspective3,000–4,000wildfiresoccureachyearthatburnaround6,000hectaresofNewZealand’sruralvegetationandland(grasslands,scrublandsandforests).Thisisinadditiontothemorethan100,000hectaresburnedannuallybyprescribedfire.

Overthelast16yearstheareasaffectedbyfireinNewZealandhaverangedfrom1,183hectaresin1991–92to17,698hectaresin1998–99,mainlyduetofluctuationsinseasonalweatherconditions.Changingdemographics,land-useactivitiesandclimatechangewillcontinuetoadverselyaffectNewZealand’sfirehazardscape.

TheaverageeconomiccostofNewZealandwildfiresfrom2002–2007hasbeenestimatedat$97.7millionperannum(BERL,2009).Thisfiguredoesnotcapturethefullcostsofindirectfireimpacts,forexampleonfarmingproduction,biodiversityandtourism.

TheNationalRuralFireAuthority(NRFA)isthenationalco-ordinatingbodyforthe76ruralfireauthorities(LocalGovernment,DepartmentofConservation,NZDefence,forestrycompanies)andothers(e.g.FederatedFarmersofNZ),whosefocusistomanageandminimisetheimpactofruralfireinNewZealand.

‘…averageeconomiccostofNewZealandwildfiresfrom2002–2007hasbeenestimatedat$97.7millionperannum(BERL,2009).’

ThemissionoftheNRFAisto‘minimisethesocial,economicandenvironmentalimpactsoffireintheforestandrurallandscape’.Togetherwithotherstakeholders,theNRFAhastwobroadobjectivesforruralfiremanagementinNewZealand:reducingthenumberandconsequencesofwildfires,andfacilitatingtheuseoffireasaneffectivelandmanagementtool. Soilerosionfollowing2003fires(photo:BushfireCRC).


ThePolicyContext

TheUnitedNations’FoodandAgricultureOrganisation(UN-FAO)MinisterialMeetingonForestsandthe17thSessionoftheFAOCommitteeonForestry,March2005calleduponFAO,incollaborationwithcountriesandotherinternationalpartners,includingtheofficeoftheUnitedNationsInternationalStrategyforDisasterReduction(UNISDR),todevelopastrategytoenhanceinternationalcooperationinfiremanagement,thatadvancedknowledge,increasedaccesstoinformationandresourcesandexplorednewapproachesforcooperationatalllevels.Italsorequestedpreparationofvoluntaryguidelinesontheprevention,suppressionandrecoveryfromforestfire.Theneedforsuchtoolstoassistininternationalcooperationhadalsobeenhighlightedatthe3rdInternationalWildlandFireConferenceandtheInternationalWildlandFireSummit(Sydney,Australia2003)asaconsequenceoftheincreasingincidenceandseverityofimpactsofmajorfiresglobally.

‘…buildontheworkoftheexistingBushfireCRCandexpandresearcheffortsintoothernaturalhazards…’

Aninternationalexpertconsultationinwildlandfires(Madrid,May2006)agreedthatanon-legallybindingStrategytoEnhanceInternationalCooperationinFireManagementwouldincludeanoverarchingframeworkandfourcomponents:

i. FireManagementVoluntaryGuidelines(whichwerepublishedin2006);

ii. AnImplementationPartnership;

iii. AGlobalAssessmentofFireManagement;and

iv. AReviewofInternationalCooperationinFireManagement.

FromanAustralianperspective,therecentlyreleasedNationalBushfireManagementPolicyStatementforForestsandRangelands,thatwasdevelopedbytheForestFireManagementGroup(FFMG)andsubsequentlyendorsedbytheCouncilofAustralianGovernments1(COAG),linkedStandingCouncilsofbothPrimaryIndustries,andEnvironmentandWater,states:

‘…Astrategicapproachtoresearch,monitoringandlearningaimedatsupportingtheuseoffireinthelandscapewillleadtoanimprovedunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenfireregimes(andindividualfires)withrisk,biodiversity,ecosystemhealthandresilience,naturalresourcemanagementandproduction,catchmentwateryieldsandwaterqualityandgreenhousegasstorageandemissions…’(pg.12)

Intermsofcurrentfederalgovernmentresearchpriorities,thethenMinisterresponsibleforthe‘cooperativeresearchprogram’listed,latein2012,innovativemanufacturing,socialinnovation,andsustainableregionalcommunities.Morerecently,thePrimeMinisterhasannounced,aspartoftheimplementationofCOAG’s2011NationalStrategyforDisasterReduction,federalfundingtowardtheestablishmentofaBushfiresandNaturalHazardsCRC.ThePMstatedthatthenewCRCwould‘…buildontheworkoftheexistingBushfireCRCandexpandresearcheffortsintoothernaturalhazards…’

1 COAGincludestheNewZealandGovernment


Thefutureresearchprogramdirectionsdevelopedaspartofthatprocessacknowledgedacontextthatseesfewcommunitiesinfire-proneareasaroundthecountrybelievingthattheyaresuccessfullymanagingtheirforests,woodlandsandruralareasandtheinherentfirethreatassociatedwiththem.Changesinphilosophicalandorganisationalapproachestowildlandareasoverthelast40years,theexpansionofurbanpopulationsintothehinterland,andmorerecentlytheuncertaintiesassociatedwithclimatechangewereseenaspresentingcurrentdecision-makerswithconsiderabledilemmas.

Inlate2012/early2013,theFFMGsought,withinthecontextoftherecentlyendorsedNationalBushfireManagementPolicyStatementforForestsandRangelands,toidentifyboththe‘drivers’andtheresearchprioritiesconfrontingthenation’slandmanagerstotheyear2020andbeyond.

Identifiedpolicy/research‘drivers’included:

• Globalwarming;

• Populationgrowthandthemovementofpeopleandassetsintothebushland‘interface’;

• Riskmanagementconsiderations;

• Watercatchmentthreats;

• Budgetlimitations;

• Ecosystemcomplexity;

• Growingdemandsforservicesincluding:

− Tourismandrecreationalopportunities;

− Water;

− Timber;

− Carbonstorage;and

− Foodproductionandgrazingonrangelands.

‘…fewcommunitiesinfire-proneareasaroundthecountrybelievingthattheyaresuccessfullymanagingtheirforests,woodlandsandruralareasandtheinherentfirethreatassociatedwiththem.’

ThisworkbytheFFMGfollowedanearlier,somewhatsimilaranalysisundertakenbytheAustralasianFireandEmergencyServiceAuthoritiesCouncil(AFAC).Duringaprocessthatwasdesignedtohelpdefinemoregeneralfutureresearchneeds,fireagencyCEOsacknowledgedthattheydidnothavethetoolsandknowledgetomeetthefutureneedsoftheindustryandthecommunityitserves.

BurntinfrastructureCoonabarabran2013(photo:DrMargaretKitchin).

TowardaResearchAgenda


ResearchPriorities

ThefourstrategicobjectivessetoutintheNationalBushfireManagementPolicyStatementforForestsandRangelandsareto:

• EffectivelyManagetheLandwithFire;

• DevelopInvolvedandCapableCommunities;

• FacilitateStrongLand,FireandEmergencyPartnershipsandCapability;and

• ActivelyandAdaptivelyManageRisk.

TheStatementalsocommitslandmanagersto:

‘…continuetoimprovelinkswithcooperativeresearchcentres,universitiesandotherresearchprovidersby:

• developingacomprehensiveresearchstrategytosupporttheimplementationofthisstatement(thiswillincludeassessingthevalueoflongtermecologicalresearchsitesinsupportingbushfiremanagementacrossthelandscape)…’(pg.15)

ThemembersofFFMGdeveloptwelveNationalResearchthemesrelevanttolandmanagers:

• ClimateChange

• AppropriateFireRegimes

• RiskManagement

• WaterCatchments

• FiresRoleinFloodMitigation

• IndigenousInvolvement

• SocialIssues

• Aircraft

• ResearchInfrastructure

• WorkplaceHealthandSafety

• LegislationandPolicy

• ResearchImplementation

TheissuesfacingFFMGmemberagenciesandtheprioritytasksforeachofthesetwelvethemesarelistedasfollows.

ClimateChange

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Landmanagersclearlyhavemuchworktodoiftheyaretosufficientlyunderstandtheimpactofclimatechangeonboththeecosystemstheyareresponsiblefor,andonthenation’slevelofbushfirerisk.Australia’sClimateCommission,initsmostrecentreport(April2013),notesthatfireproneconditionsandassociatedvulnerabilitiesareincreasing.

‘…scientificissuesassociatedwithclimatechangesciencearecomplex…’

Thescientificissuesassociatedwithclimatechangesciencearecomplexand,inthecontextofbushfires,mustalsobeviewedinconjunctionwiththenatureofAustralia’snativevegetation,muchofwhichhasamulti-facetedevolutionaryrelationshipwithfire.

Therelationshipbetweenclimatechangeandvegetation/ecosystemchangeshasmajorimplicationsforfiremanagementandriskassessment.Changestobiotaandecosystemswill,ataminimum,affectfuelaccumulationanddistributioninforestandwoodlandsaswellasaffectingthebiodiversityandecologicaloutcomesrequiredfromfiremanagementprograms.Thelocationandextentoffireproneandfiresensitiveecosystemsislikelytochangeinrelationtoclimaticchanges,presentingnewchallengesforlandmanagementandfiresuppressionoperations.

‘…developingacomprehensiveresearchstrategytosupporttheimplementationofthisstatement(thiswillincludeassessingthevalueoflongtermecologicalresearchsitesinsupportingbushfiremanagementacrossthelandscape)…’(pg.15)


Arelatedconsiderationseessmokefrombushfires,andmoreparticularlysmokefromtheuseofprescribedfire,asbeingincreasinglyviewedinsomequartersasfurtheraddingcarbondioxideandotherGreenhousegasestotheatmosphere.Aswithmuchofthescienceassociatedwithclimatechangehowever,thestoryiscomplex.Newvegetationthatestablishesfollowingafireinvariablygrowsvigorously,generallysequesteringconsiderablequantitiesofcarbon.Similarly,anycontributionstoglobalwarmingthatmayresultfromprescribedfiresmustbebalancedagainsttheglobalwarmingeffectsofmorefrequentandmoreintensebushfiresthatwilloccurintheabsenceofthestrategicuseofprescribedfireinmanyecosystems.

Morespecifically,ithasbeenestimatedthatachangeinonly10percentofthecarbonstoredinthesoilwouldbeequivalenttoalltheanthropogenicCO2emittedover30years(Kirschbaum,2000).Theinfluenceoffireonthecarbonbalanceofmontaneandsub-alpineecosystemsinAustraliaisvirtuallyunexploredbutisclearlyofimportancegiventheextentoftheecosystemsconcerned,theircarbondensity,andtheirsensitivitytobothfireandclimate.CurrentBushfireCRCresearchisdesignedonlytoprovidebaselinedataoncarboncyclingfromkeyvegetationtypesinthesub-alpineregionofNSW,andtofurtherelucidatethedriversofcarbonfluxinsoils.

Otherimplicationsthatflowfromachangingclimateandconsequentialmoreextremeweathereventsinclude:

• Changestothedistributionandextentofecosystemsundermanagement,changingfireriskprofiles,planningandmitigationactions;

• Thelikelihoodofincreasingevent‘cross-over’,suchasmorefrequentandmoreintenseheatwavesleadingtoconflictsbetweenadvicetovulnerablepeopletorestandtostayindoors,whileatthesametimeremainingalerttothethreatofbushfires;

• Heatwaveimpactsontheavailabilityandefficacyofvolunteerfirefighters;

• Apossiblegreateroccurrence,nationally,ofsimultaneousbadfloodsandseriousbushfiresisapossibilityrecentlyraisedbytheBoM,fragmentingemergencyresponse;

• Amergingofnorthernandsouthernhemispherefireseasonsleadingtoalesseningoftheeffectivenessofthecurrentmutualsupportarrangements(particularlybetweenNorthAmericaandAustralia);

• Possiblechangesinthepatternofdrylightningstorms;and

• Changesintheamountandseasonalityofrainfallwhichcanaffectfueldynamicsinnativeecosystems.

‘…influenceoffireonthecarbonbalanceofmontaneandsub-alpineecosystemsinAustraliaisvirtuallyunexplored…’

HeavysmokefromGrampianfires2013(photo:PatriciaD’Abrera).

National Research Priorities to 2020 and Beyond 11

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Amuchgreaterunderstandingofthewayglobalwarmingwillimpactonecosystemhealthandviability,ataregionallevel;

• Theimpactofclimatechangeonthecriteriausedtoproducefiredangerratingsinspecificareas;

• Agreaterunderstandingofcarbonstorageoptionsavailableforforests,woodlandsandrangelands,andarelatedimprovedunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenvegetationage,fireregimesandcarbonfluxes(involvingsoils,vegetation,smokeandtheatmosphere);and

• Waystointegrateappliedresearchwithadaptivemanagementtoincreasetheratesofresponsetoecosystemchanges.

TheIdentificationandMaintenanceofAppropriateFireRegimes

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Thiscontinuestobeafundamentaltaskiflandmanagersaretoadequatelyfulfiltheirraisond’êtreinrelationtotheecosystemsforwhichtheyareresponsible.Ecosystemspecificresearchhoweverisgenerallyconductedatthejurisdictionalorlocallevel,issuesbeyondtheidentificationofframeworksandbenchmarksrarelybeingnationalinnature.

Theplanningandimplementationoffireregimesislongterminnatureandrequirespredictivecapacity,withunderstoodlevelsofuncertainty,tounderpindecisionsinthepresent.

Overtime,itislikelythatatleastsomeecosystemswillmoveacrossthelandscapewithchangestoclimate,becomingeitherlarger,smallerorofsimilarextentbutchanginggeographicallocation.Currentknowledgeoffiremanagementintheseecosystemswillformthebasisforfuturemanagementacrossdifferentareas.

However,thedevelopmentofanationaldatabase,describingthedistributionofexistingecosystems;predictionsofwheretheywillbeinthefuture(withdefineduncertainty);andsettingouttheappropriatefireregimes(withappropriateburningprescriptions)necessaryforfuturemanagementwillneedtooccuraspartoftheimplementationoftheNationalBushfireManagementPolicy.

‘…newecosystemswillarise,andthesewillneedresearchintofireriskandappropriatefiremanagementneeds.’

Usingcurrentclimateprojectionsitwouldseempossiblethatnewecosystemswillarise,andthesewillneedresearchintofireriskandappropriatefiremanagementneeds.Similarly,itappearsarangeofsensitiveecosystemsmaydisappearandarangeof(fire-dynamic)ecosystemswillbecomemorewidespread.Itiscurrentlysuggestedthatfiremanagerswillexperienceconditionsthatexistalreadybutmorewidelyacrossthelandscape.

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Thedevelopment,andon-goingmaintenanceofanationaldatabaseofcurrentandprojecteddistributionsofexistingecosystemsunderarangeofclimatechangescenarios(thesizeofthistaskisacknowledged,andprioritiesandstrategiccollaborationwithotherinterestedstakeholderswouldneedtobeestablished);

• Developmentofmodelstoassistindeterminationandmanagementofappropriatefireregimes;

• Agreedindicatorsoflandscapebiodiversityhealthandfireriskmanagement,forassessingtheadequacyandeffectivenessoflandscapemanagementapproaches;

• TheidentificationofasuiteofappropriatefireregimesforeachmajorAustralianandNewZealandecosystem;adatabasethatisinformedbytheneedsofthreatenedspeciesoffloraandfauna,bytherequirementtomanagepestplantsandanimals,andthatusesagreedmeasures(andindicators)ofecosystemhealth,vitalityandproductivemaintenancecapacity;and

• Parametersforevaluatingbiodiversitytrade-offswhendesigningburningprogramsforhumanlifeandpropertyprotectionwhichcanbereadilyappliedinariskassessmentandmitigationcontext.

• Waystointegrateresearchwithadaptivemanagementindefiningandmanagingappropriatefireregimes;and

• Abetterunderstandingofhowclimatechangewillinteractwithfireseasons(length,dryness),fireweather,drylightningandbushfireriskacrossallregionsofAustraliaandthetimeframesinvolved.


‘Tool(s)whichstandardiseriskassessmentacrossdifferentvegetationtypes,managementobjectives,agenciesandcommunitieswouldbeusefultoensurethreatsarerecognisedandtreatedinthesameway.’

RiskManagement

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Theworkthathasbeenconductedinthisareainrecentyearshascontributedsignificantlytoimprovementsinthemanagementoflandscapefireandprescribedburning.However,publicandprofessionalexpectationsoflandmanagershaverisenconsiderablyandagreater,moretransparentunderstandingofthetrade-offsinvolvedisrequired.

Tool(s)whichstandardiseriskassessmentacrossdifferentvegetationtypes,managementobjectives,agenciesandcommunitieswouldbeusefultoensurethreatsarerecognisedandtreatedinthesameway.Thisapproachisessentialinthetrainingofnewfiremanagersandtotransferexperienceandknowledgebetweengenerationsoffiremanagementprofessionals.

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Refinementofthecurrentlyavailablemodels,andoftheunderlyingfirebehaviourandfuelaccumulationsimulationsinaformthatcanbereadilyutilisedinriskassessmentandmanagement;

• Amorerefinedanalysisoftheeffectivenessofprescribedburninginmeetingbothecosystemandriskmanagementobjectives–includingdelineatingandidentifyingtrade-offsbetweensocialandenvironmentaloutcomes;

• Enhancedtoolsfortheassessmentoffuelcharacteristicsacrossthelandscape;

• Methodsforquantifyingtheseverityofseasonalandmulti-seasonaldroughtanditseffectsonfuelavailabilityandpotentialfirebehaviour;

• Enhancedresourcepreparednessmodelsthatincludefiredangerindicatorsandmorerealisticindicatorsofthedifferinglevelsofriskassociatedwithvariousvegetationtypes;and

• Predictiveresourcingguides(crew,machinesandaircraft)forfire-lineconstructioninarangeofvegetationtypesandtopographies.

WaterCatchmentManagement

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Maintainingcatchmentwaterqualityandquantityinresponsetochangingfireandclimateregimesisakeychallengefacingmanylandmanagers.Communityexpansionandprojectedwatershortagesinsomejurisdictionsplaceadditionalpressureonfiremanagerstosecurewaterinfrastructureandavailability.

‘Maintainingcatchmentwaterqualityandquantityinresponsetochangingfireandclimateregimesisakeychallengefacingmanylandmanagers.’

Balancingresponsibleapproachestothemanagementoflandscapefire,theuseofprescribedfireinwatercatchmentsfortheprotectionofwaterquality,wateryieldandhumansafety,andincludingwateryieldandqualityparametersinfireriskmodelsallpresentchallenges.

ModeloutputofpredictedfirespreadofAshWednesdayfires(photo:VicDSE).


TheFFMGisSeeking

• Abetterunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenfireregimes,riskmanagement,waterqualityandyield;and

• Apracticalwayofintegratingwateryieldandqualityobjectivesintofireriskmodelsandfireregimes.

TheRoleofForestsandWoodlandsandFireRegimesinFloodMitigation

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Forestsandwoodlandsplayavitalroleinmoderatingwatermovementoverthelandscape.Althoughforestedlandscapescannotpreventlargefloodsoutright,theydominimisethefrequency,intensity,andextentofallfloodingevents,whichinturnsignificantlyreducesthedamagetolifeandpropertythatseriousfloodingcancause.Forestsalsominimizesoilerosionandlandslides,andimprovestreamchannelstabilityandwaterquality.

Asglobalwarmingintensifieshotter,dryerconditionsarepredictedas,insomelocations,aremoreintensestorm,windandrainfallevents.Theinfluenceof

fireregimesontheecosystemsabilitytowithstandtheseeventsandcontributetocommunityresilienceiskeyknowledgerequiredtounderpinplanningandimplementationofcontrolledfire.

‘…influenceoffireregimesonecosystemabilitytowithstandtheseeventsandcontributetocommunityresilienceiskeyknowledgerequiredtounderpinplanningandimplementationofcontrolledfire.’

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Abetterunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenfireregimes,floodeventsandthelevelofrisktolifeandproperty.

TheRoleofIndigenousPeopleinLandManagement

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Agenciesareincreasinglyworkingwithindigenouspeople,particularlyinnaturalresourcemanagementandheritagerelatedactivities.

‘…needforimproveddialogueandinformationflowbetweenAboriginalandnon-Aboriginallandmanagersisacknowledged,asistheneedforappropriateresearchtounderpinthisrelationship.’

Aboriginalattitudesandperceptionsoflandmanagementissuescansometimesdifferconsiderablyfromthoseofotherlandmanagers.ExplanationsforthenatureandconditionoflandandresourcescanhavetheirrootinAboriginalcultureratherthaninthewesternscientificparadigm.ThisisanissueofgreatimportancewhenlookingatanyoftheactivitieswhichtakeplaceonAboriginalland.TheneedforimproveddialogueandinformationflowbetweenAboriginalandnon-Aboriginallandmanagersisacknowledged,asistheneedforappropriateresearchtounderpinthisrelationship.

HazardreductionaroundACT’smainwatersupply2013(photo:OdileArman).


TheFFMGisSeeking

• Abetterunderstandingofthescientificandculturalbasisforindigenousburningstrategiesindifferentecosystemsandhowthatmightbeintegratedintofiremanagementplansandobjectives;

• Abetterunderstandingofthedriversofindigenousparticipationinlandandfiremanagement;and

• Abetterunderstandingofindigenousaspirationsandobjectivesforlandandfiremanagementwithindigenouslandownersaskeystakeholders.

MaintainingaLandManagement‘SocialLicence’

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Inrecentyearstheterm‘sociallicence’hascometobemorewidelyapplied,andusedbyabroaderrangeofstakeholders–beyondtheearliermorelocalisedcompanyandcommunitycontext.Therehasalsobeenincreasingdebateintheacademicliteratureoverhowtodefine‘sociallicenceobligations’andwhat(ifany)valuetheconceptbringstoanunderstandingofthesocialaspectsofsustainabledevelopment.

Inthehighlyurbanisedsocialandpoliticalclimateinwhichlandmanagementagenciesmustoperate,anunderstandingof,andsupportformanagementactivities(suchastheuseofprescribedfire,andthemanagementofpestplantsandanimals)amongthewidercommunitycannotbeassumed.Achievingabetterunderstandingofthesematterswithinsocietyisalsoessentialifcommunityeducationandinformationprogramsaretobeeffectivelydesignedanddelivered.

‘…anunderstandingof,andsupportformanagementactivities(suchastheuseofprescribedfire,andthemanagementofpestplantsandanimals)amongthewidercommunitycannotbeassumed.’

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Logical,nationallyconsistentandeasilyrecognisedindicatorsoffireprogrameffectivenessandgoalachievementforreportingtoGovernmentsandotherstakeholders;

• Consistentandregularassessmentofcommunityattitudesandexpectationsforfiremanagementwithlinkstotheriskassessmentandcommunityeducationprogramsofthefireandlandmanagementagencies;and

• Abetterunderstandingofthechanginglevelsofcommunityresilienceandwhatthatmeansforeducationandawarenessprograms;and

• Abetterunderstandingoftheimpactsofsmokeonhealth,communityservicesandviticulture,anddeveloptoolsandmethodstomanagetheseimpacts.

TheUseofAircraft

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Theroleofaircraftinthemanagementoflandscapefirehasincreasedinprominenceconsiderablysincethe1960s.

‘…thecostsofsuppressingbushfireshavebeenrisingdramaticallyandaircraftusecomprisesasignificantcomponentoftheseincreasedcosts.’

Nationally,thefederally-fundedNationalAerialFirefightingCentre,whichwasestablishedin2003–04tofundtenaircrafttoassistState-basedoperations,now,routinely,fundsinexcessof52aircraft,asignificantpercentageofwhicharelarge,heavy-liftmachines.

Inthesameperiod,thecostsofsuppressingbushfireshavebeenrisingdramaticallyandaircraftusecomprisesasignificantcomponentoftheseincreasedcosts.

Inrecentyearsbushfirerelatedaircraftusehasreceivedconsiderableattentionfromthemedia,particularlywhenaircrafthavebeenusedonsignificantfiresfringingmetropolitanareas,andwhenlargemachineshavebeenused.Thisaircraftprominencehasthepotentialtodistortmoreconsideredapproachestothemanagementofbushfire.


Equallyhowever,aircraftuseisnowintegratedwithintheoveralltaskofmanaginglandscapefireandthebenefitsandlimitationsneedtobeunderstood.Similarly,theuseofretardantandsuppressantchemicalsneedstobeunderstoodinthecontextoffiremanagementandtheecologicalfootprint.

TheFFMGisSeeking

Abetterunderstandingofquestionsincluding:

• Therelativeeffectivenessofaerialfiresuppression–exploringthenicheswhereaircrafthaveadistinctadvantageeitherasfrontlineassetsorassupportresourcesandsimilarlyunderstandingtheirlimitations;

• Therelativecosteffectivenessofaerialassetsinarangeofrolescomparedwithotherassets–therighttoolintherightplace;

• Themosteffectivestrategiesfortheintegrationofaircraftuseinarangeofroles–bombing,intelligencegathering,mapping,transport,aerialignitionetc;

• Inwhatsituationsdoesaerialmanagementhavethegreatestnetbenefit?(i.e.whichlocations-remote/interfaceetc./fueltypes/phaseofoperation–first-attack?);

• Therelativeeffectivenessofarangeofaircraftandequipmenttypes(i.e.whichclassofaircraft/aircrafttype/suppressionequipment/suppressionmedium);

• Indicatorsandparametersinriskmodelswhichguidetheappropriateuseandlevelofinvestmentinaircraftforagivenevent;

• Themostimportantpre-conditionsforeffective/costeffectiveaircraftuse(i.e.whatelseneedstobeinplacetomakesureapositivereturnandoptimumreturnsoninvestmentareachieved?);

• Understandingthetrade-offsbetweenfireandtheecologicalimpactintheuseofretardantandsuppressantchemicals;

• Understandingtheoptimalroleanduseofunmannedaircraftforusessuchasmonitoringfirebehaviourthroughdensesmoke,lowcloudordarkness,orforaerialignitioninremoteareas;and

• Definetheroleofradarimaginginfireplanningandsuppression?

HelicopteruseinHazardreduction–CorindamACT(photo:ScotFarquhar).


DevelopingandMaintaining‘ResearchInfrastructure’

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Muchoftheinformationrequiredforinformeddecisionmakingandpolicydevelopmentisderivedfromlong-termmonitoringandresearchprograms.Thisinvolvessustainedinvestmentininfrastructuresuchasecologicalreferencesites(long-termecologicalresearchsites),longitudinalhumancommunitystudies,andresearchdata,suchasdetailedfirehistory,bothregionallyandnationally.Thisinfrastructureinvestmentalsounderpinsshorter-termprojects,andthird-partyInquiries,andenablesresearcherstomovequicklyonurgenthighpriorityprojects.Italsofacilitatestheuseofcommonunderlyingdatasetstogeneratespecificoutputsandprovidesaunifyingframeworkforcomplementarycontractoragency-basedresearch,whichisusuallyshorter-term,state/territory-basedandwhich,inmanycases,buildsonbroaderknowledgebases.

‘…establishmentandmaintenanceoflong-termfiremanagementrelatedecologicalstudysites,andlongitudinalhumancommunitystudies.’

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Theidentification,collectionandon-goingmanagementofappropriatelandscapefiredataincludingfirehistoryandintensity,carbonimpacts,ecosystemhealthandrisklevelmonitoring;and

• Monitoringoftheneedforand,asappropriate,theestablishmentandmaintenanceoflong-termfiremanagementrelatedecologicalstudysites,andlongitudinalhumancommunitystudies.

WorkplaceHealthandSafety

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Landmanagementagenciesalreadyhaveastrongfocusonsafety.Pressuresforevensaferworkingconditionswillcontinueandboththerisksandtheriskmanagementoptionsclearlyneedtobeunderstoodtoensureappropriateprotectionforpersonnel,thecommunitiestheyserve,andthewidersociety,whileatthesametimemaintainingfirst-classagencyresponseandgeneralmanagementcapability.

Manyaspectsoffiremanagementremain‘handsonsactivitiesbutwiththeincreasinguseofprescribedfireinmanyjurisdictionsandpotentiallyincreasedexposuretoextremefireevents,thereisanewimperativetolookattheworkingconditionsoffiremanagersandfirefighters.

‘…increasinguseofprescribedfireinmanyjurisdictionsandpotentiallyincreasedexposuretoextremefireevents,thereisanewimperativetolookattheworkingconditionsoffiremanagersandfirefighters.’

Akeyfocuswillremainonidentifyingalternativestoplacingpeopleinthemorehazardoussituations.Importantlyalso,istheneedtounderstandthefullimpactmodernemergencyresponsehasonotheraspectsofthelivesofresponders.

Protectiveclothingatsafetybriefing(photo:SimonButt).


TheFFMGisSeeking

• Anunderstandingoftheimpactsofclimatechangeandprescribedburningonfirebehaviourasaguidetothelevelofriskexposurebyfirefighters;

• Thedevelopmentoffirefighterspecificriskassessmenttool(s)andmitigationstrategies;

• Theenhancementoftrainingprogramsforfirefighters,volunteersandlandownersthroughincorporationofimprovedfirebehaviourknowledgegeneratedinotherpartsoftheresearchprogram;

• ThedevelopmentoftoolstoextendWH+Sknowledgeandstrategiestoindividualprivatelandownerstoassistwiththedevelopmentofpersonalfireplans;and

• Anunderstandingofchangesthatcouldbemadeinfirefighterequipmenttoaddressmorestressfuloperatingenvironments,improvefieldcommunicationsandenhancethetransferofrelevantknowledgefromanincidentcontrolcentretofireground.

‘…achievingandmaintaininganappropriatebalancebetweenworkplacesafetyandthreatstolifeandpropertyposedbylandscapefire.’

LegislationandPolicy

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Landmanagement(andrelated)agenciesareincreasinglygrapplingwiththeimpactofthird-partyInquiriesofvarioustypes.Theseinvariablyrequireconsiderabletimeandeffortanddonotalwaysconsiderthemostproductiveuseofresources.ItisbelievedtheincreasingfrequencyofsuchInquiries,andtherelatedpersonalaccountabilityforthemanagementofinherentlyhigh-riskandoftenverydynamicsituationstheybring,maybeleadingtobehaviouralchangeandrisk-averseagencycultures,therebyreducingtheeffectivenessofsomemanagementundertakings,includingresponse.

Scientificknowledgeandcarefullyevaluatedexperienceareessentialfoundationsfortheproductionofgoodpolicyandlegislation.Fireinthelandscapeaffectsmanystakeholdersandthepolicyframeworkgoverningtheagencies’andcommunities’responsetofirewillbetestedrepeatedly,deeplyandthoroughlyinthefuture.Anyflawswillbeexposedandintheworstcases,livesmaybelostasaresult.Itiscriticaltohavethebestinformationtosupportpolicydirectioninthisfieldandthatinformationmustcomefromacarefullyconstructedandreviewedprocesstoensureitsveracity.

Agoodscientificbasisforpolicywillprovidelandmanagerswiththeconfidencetoproceedinaninherentlyhighriskenvironmentanddowhatneedstobedoneinthesafestandmosteffectiveway.

Itisalsoclearthatinmanyaspectsoftheindustry,fromland-useplanningthoughtoincidentmanagement,theroleofsupportivepolicyandlegislationiscrucial.Whatformgoodpolicyandlegislationshouldtakerequiresconstantmonitoringandinnovativethinking,backedbyrelevantresearch.

TheFFMGisSeeking

• On-goingmonitoringandanalysisofcurrentpolicysettingsandlegislation,andrelatedcommunityandagencycultures,withaviewtoachievingandmaintaininganappropriatebalancebetweenworkplacesafetyandthreatstolifeandpropertyposedbylandscapefire.

Victorianfire-fighters(photo:ParksVictoria).


ResearchImplementation

IssuesFacingtheFFMG

Inordertoreapthemaximumbenefitsfrominvestinginresearchitisimportanttoregularlyandsystematicallyreviewthepositionofagenciesinrelationtotheutilisationofthefindingsofcompletedresearch,andalsotounderstandhowindividualagenciesandthewiderindustrycanbestcapitaliseresearchoutcomes.

Thescientificstudyofmethodstopromotetheuptakeofresearchfindingscansometimesbeuseful.Researchprojectsgenerallyfocusonspecificissuesorfieldbasedexperiments,andassumethatfindingscanbegeneralisedtorolloutintostrategicand/oroperationalpractice.‘Implementationresearch’exploresthechallengesthatarefacedwhengeneralisingresearchfindingsinthe‘realworld’,forexampleinfieldssuchasfireorfloodmanagement.

Nighttimeburning(photo:SimonButt).

‘…continuedconversionofresearchoutcomestooperationallyusefultools;’

TheFFMGisSeeking

• Thecontinuedconversionofresearchoutcomesintooperationallyusefultools;

• Novelwaysofdistributingresearchoutcomesfordifferentstakeholdersincludingagencies,communities,policymakersandothers;and

• Themaintenanceofeffectiveresearchutilisationandrelatedmonitoringprogramsingeneral.


References

Fuelreductioninwatercatchment(photo:BrianLevine).

Highfuelloads(photo:SimonButt).

Fixedwingaircraft(photo:BushfireCRC).

BERL(2009).TheEconomicCostofWildfires.NewZealandFireServiceCommissionResearchReportNumber99.37pp.

BureauofRuralSciences(2009).Australia’sForestsataGlance,NationalForestInventory,CommonwealthofAustralia,Canberra.96pp.

CommonwealthofAustralia(2013).TheCriticalDecade:ExtremeWeather.DepartmentofIndustry,Innovation,ClimateChange,Science,ResearchandTertiaryEducation.April2013.64pp.

CommonwealthofAustralia(2012).NationalBushfireManagementPolicyStatementforForestsandRangelands.PublishedbytheForestFireManagementGroupfortheCouncilofAustralianGovernments.August2012.24pp.

ForestFireManagementGroup(2012).Integratingthemanagementofwildfire-relatedrisksinrurallandandforestmanagementlegislationandpolicies.Author:M.Dudfield.10pp.

Kirschbaum,M.U.F.(2000)Willchangesinsoilorganiccarbonactasapositiveornegativefeedbackonglobalwarming?Biogeochemistry,48,21–51.

Russell-Smith,J.,Yates,C.P.,Whitehead,P.J.,Smith,R.,Craig,R.,Allan,G.E.,etal(2007)Bushfires‘downunder’:patternsandimplicationsofcontemporaryAustralianlandscapeburning.InternationalJournalofWildlandFire16,361–377.

Tolhurst,K.G.(2004).ChangingourPerceptionofFireintheEnvironment.PaperpresentedtotheNationalConferenceofParliamentaryEnvironmentandPublicWorksCommittees,Lorne,Victoria.8pp.

UnitedNations(2012).ReportoftheUnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopment.RiodeJaneiro,Brazil.20–22June,2012.120pp.

UN-FAO(2006).Firemanagement:voluntaryguidelines.Principlesandstrategicactions.FireManagementWorkingPaper17.Rome.61pp.


Appendix1–FFMGResearchThemes/Issues/ResearchQuestions

Research Theme Issues Research Questions

Climate Change • Theimpactofclimatechangeonbothecosystemsandthelevelofbushfirerisk;

• TheGreenhousegasconsequencesofvaryingprescribedandbushfireregimes;

• Thecomplexitiesoftherelationshipsbetweenfireregimes,carboncycling,carbonbalancesandecosystemhealth;

• Possiblechangesinthepatternofdrylightningstorms;and

• Theneedtobetterunderstandtheimpactofextremeweathereventsonthevulnerabilityofcommunities,andonfirefighterfitness/effectiveness.

• Doexistingfiredangerandriskmodelsadequatelycovertherangeofpredicted‘new’ecosystems?

• Whatimpactwillclimatechangehaveonecosystemfuelaccumulationanddynamics?

• Whatimpactwillpredictedincreased‘drylightning’stormshaveonbushfirerisk?

• HowdotheGreenhousegasemissionsfromprescribedfirescomparewiththebackgroundcarbonfluxfrom‘natural’fireregimesinprioritylandscapes?Whataretheemissiontrade-offsbetweendifferentfireregimes?

• Whateasilymeasurable(i.e.thatcanberoutinelymonitoredbylandmanagers)indicatorsofcarbonfluxcanbeincorporatedinhazardreductionfireprescriptions?

• Whatmodificationsarenecessarytoexistingfirebehaviourmodelstoaccountforclimatechange?

• Howdoespredictedclimatechangeaffectexistingfirebehaviourmodelsandfireriskanalysis?

• Howdocurrentfirefighterfatiguemanagementprocessescopewithincreasedextremeeventsandtemperatures?

• Howcanpredictedclimatechangescenariosbeincorporatedintocommunitypreparednessplanningandindividual‘Prepare,LeaveEarlyorStayandDefend’plans?

• Howwillclimatechangeaffectfireseasons(length,dryness),fireweather,drylightning(frequencyandspatialdistribution)andbushfireriskacrosstargetedregionsofAustraliaandwhatarethetimeframesinvolved?



The Identification and Maintenance of Appropriate Fire Regimes

• Aneedtobeabletobetterplanforandimplementfireregimesinthelonger-term,requiringpredictivecapacitywithknownuncertaintytounderpindecisionsinthepresent;and

• Thecurrentabsenceofcomprehensivenationaldatabasesthatcanunderpinfutureanalysisofclimatechangeimpactsonecosystems.

• Whatarethenaturalfireregimesforecosystemsofinterestandhowwilltheychange?

• Howdomanagedfireregimesneedtochangetokeeppacewithclimatechange?

• Whataretheuncertaintylevelsassociatedwithfireregimesandcanthesebereduced?

• Whatgeneralprinciplesandbenchmarksforfireregimesapplyacrossthelandscape–regardlessofecosystemandlocation?

• Whatindicatorsofecosystemhealthreflectappropriatefireregimes?

• Howtodealwithtrade-offsbetweencommunitysafetyandbiodiversityprotectionindesigningandimplementingfireregimes?

• Whatprescribedfireignitionpatternsshouldbeusedinprotectedareasforfuelreduction?

Risk Management • Aneedtofurtherrefinecurrentriskmanagementmodelstoprovidegreaterunderstandingandtransparencyinrelationtotheassociatedtrade-offs;

• Acurrentabsenceoftoolswhichstandardiseriskassessmentacrossdifferentvegetationtypes,managementobjectives,agenciesandcommunitiesthatwouldhelpensurethatthreatsarerecognisedandtreatedinthesameway;and

• Aneedtoexaminewhetherscenariomodelling,asatoolforuseinIncidentManagementTeamtraining,hasaroletoplay.

• Howcanexistingfiredangerandfirespreadmodelsberefinedandbetterintegratedwithriskmanagementtools?

• Whatadditionalparametersandindicatorsareneededtoimproveriskassessmentforenvironmentaloutcomes?

• Wherearetheconflictpointsforenvironmentalandcommunitysafetyriskmanagementandhowmighttheyberesolved?

• IstherearoleforscenariomodellinginIncidentManagementTeamtraining?

• WhatscienceisrequiredtounderpinanationalBushfireRiskassessmentstandardandhowwouldthisstandarddealwithlocaliseddifferencesinlandscape,vegetationandcommunityresilience?

• Whatistheeffectivenessofvariousriskmitigationstrategiesincludingcommunitypreparednessandprescribedfire?

• Howdoestheimpactofconcurrentdisastereventsaffectriskassessmentandmanagement?

• Canwedevelopmodelsandortoolsthatassistinquantifyingthecostsandbenefits(social,financialandenvironmental)ofprescribedburningacrossdifferentlandscapes?



Water Catchment Management

• Increasingpressuretomaintainwaterqualityandquantity,atatimeofchangingfireandclimateregimes;and

• Betterwaysofincludingwateryieldandqualityparametersinfireriskmodels.

• Whatarethetrade-offsbetweenfuelreductionandwateryieldincatchmentsclosetotheurbaninterface?

• Whatistheimpactofdemographicchangeonthetrade-offsbetweenwateryield/qualityandfuelreduction?

• Whatistheimpactofclimatechangeontrade-offsbetweenwateryield/qualityandfuelreduction?

• Whatindicatorsorparametersofwateryieldandqualityarebestsuitedtoinclusioninriskassessmentandmanagementmodels?

The Role of Forests and Woodlands, and Fire Regimes in Flood Mitigation

• Theneedforabetterunderstandingoftheinfluenceoffireregimesonecosystemabilitytowithstandmoreintensestorm,windandrainfallevents.

• Whatparametersrelatingtofloodmitigationshouldbeincorporatedintoriskmodelsandplanningforfireregimes?

The Role of Indigenous People in Land Management

• Aneedtobetterunderstandthescientificbasisforindigenousculturalapproachestofiremanagement;and

• Theneedforabetterunderstandingofthedriversofindigenousparticipationinlandandfiremanagement.

• Whatarethedrivingfactorsbehindindigenousfiremanagementanddotheyhaveanidentifiablescientificbasis?

• Howcanweparameteriseindigenousculturalfactorsintofiremanagementandfirebehaviourmodels?

Maintaining a Land Management ‘Social Licence’

• Aneedtobetterunderstandcommunityattitudestofireinthelandscape,asameanstobetterunderpincommunityeducationandinformationprograms;and

• Theimportanceofmaintainingthetrustofthecommunitythroughtransparencyandaccountability.

• Whatarethelogicalandeasilyrecognisedindicatorsofsuccessinthemanagementoffiresinthelandscapeandhowshouldthesebeintegratedintriple(quadruple)bottomlinereportingtostakeholders?

• Whataretheindicatorsofcommunitysatisfactionwithfiremanagementbylandmanagersandhowarethesebestmonitored?

• Howcantheseindicatorsandfeedbackbeincorporatedintoriskmanagementandplanning?

• Whatarethemosteffectivemeansforcommunicatingkeymessagesaboutfireinthelandscapeandhowdothesechangefordifferentmessages?

• Howcanwebetterquantifytheimpactsofsmokeonhealth,communityservicesandviticultureandfurtherdeveloptoolsandmethodstoassistinminimisingandmanagingtheimpactsofsmoke?



The Use of Aircraft • Withcostsrising,aneedforagreaterunderstandingoftheeffectiveness,andoftheoptimalrolesforaircraftinthemanagementoflandscapefire;

• Theneedtoconstantlyimprovetheintegrationofaircraftwithotherfiremanagementtools;and

• AneedtoexaminepossiblerolesforUAVs(drones)andradarinfirefighting/firemanagement.

• Whataretheoptimumandmosteffectiverolesfordifferentaircrafttypesinarangeoffirescenarios?

• Whatisanappropriatesetofparametersbywhichtocomparetheeffectivenessofarangeoffirefightingassets–includingaircraft?

• Whatistherelativeeffectivenessofdifferentaircraftandroleequipmentcombinationsinafirefightingsenseandinacosteffectivenesssense?Andarethesethesamething?

• Whatparametersshouldbeusedinriskmodelsanddecisionsupporttoolstoensuretheappropriateuseandlevelofinvestmentinaircraftforagivenevent?

• Developmentoftoolstoevaluatestrategiesforaircraftinvolvementinarangeofroles?

• Whatarethefuelbreakconstructionratesfordifferenttypesofgroundandaerialassetswhichcanbeusedindecisionsupportandcomparisonstudies?

• Howdowemeasuretheimpactsofretardantandsuppressantchemicalsonfiresuppressionandecosystemstodeterminethemostappropriateuse?

• WhataretherisksandadvantagesofusingUAVsand/orradarinfiremanagementroles?

Developing and Maintaining ‘Research Infrastructure’

• Acurrentabsenceofanadequatenetworkoflonger-termmonitoringandresearchprograms(suchasecologicalreferencesites,humancommunitystudies)andresearchdatabases.

• Whatarethekeyexistinglongtermresourcesavailableforfireresearchandwhatarethegapsaffectingprogress?

• Aretherekeyindicatorcommunities(andwherearethey)formappingmedium-longtermchangestocommunityattitudesandpreparednessforfireinthelandscape?

• Howcanotherresearchgroupsandcommunitiesbeincorporatedintotheoverallbushfireresearchframeworkona‘self-nominating’basis?

• Whataretheguidingprinciplestobeusedfortheestablishmentoflongtermresearchstudies?

• Whatinformationfromactualbushfireandprescribedfireeventsshouldbecapturedtocontributetothelargerdatapoolavailableforresearch?



Workplace Health and Safety

• Continuingpressureforsaferworkingconditions;

• Thedifficultiesassociatedwithbalancingsafeworkingenvironmentswiththeneedtomaintainfirst-classagencyresponseandgeneralmanagementcapability;and

• Aneedtocontinuetoexplorealternativestoplacingpeopleinhazardoussituations.

• Whatareappropriatefatiguemanagementsystemsforfirefightersandhowshouldtheybechangedtoaccountforclimatechangeandincreasedhazardreduction?

• HowcanagencyWH+Sprinciplesandpracticesbeextendedtoindividuallandownersandpeopleinstigatingtheirownpropertyfiremanagementplans?

• Whatequipment,strategiesandpracticescanreducetheWH+Srisktofirefightersinbushfires?

Legislation and Policy

• Aneedtocontinuetoensurethatlegislationandpolicyhaveasoundscientificbasis;

• Anincreasingincidenceofthird-partyInquiries;

• Aneedtocountertendenciestowardextremeriskaversionandsubsequentpoorlandscapemanagement;and

• Thevarietyofstakeholdersinvolvedinthemanagementoflandscapefireandtheneedforamultifacetedapproachtopolicydevelopment.

• Whatarethecurrentgapsandprioritiesinresearchtounderpinpolicydevelopment?

Research Implementation

• Effectiveandtimelyconversionofresearchresultsintooperationaltoolsandknowledge;

• ‘Generalisation’ofspecificresearchoutcomes;and

• Packagingofresearchoutcomestoincreaseuptakebyarangeofstakeholderswithdifferingskillsandobjectives.

• Whatplanningandreviewprocessesareneededtoensureknowledgeisdeliveredinanappropriateandusableform?

• Whatarethebestwaysofintegratingindividualresearchprojectstodeliverbroaderandmoregeneraloperationaloutcomes?and

• Whatarethemosteffectivemodesofdeliveryofresearchoutcomestodifferentstakeholders?

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