Prescribed Burning Atlas launch - webinar

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, in partnership with the University of Wollongong, University of Melbourne and Western Sydney University, launched the Prescribed Burning Atlas via webinar on Tuesday 14 July at 11am AEST.

A website specifically designed for fire and land managers, the Prescribed Burning Atlas can compare the risk reduction benefits and costs from different combinations of prescribed burning strategies.

Event details

• Tuesday 14 July, 11am AEST (10.30am ACST, 9am AWST), one hour duration
• Via Zoom
• Speakers: Naomi Stephens (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service), Prof Ross Bradstock (University of Wollongong) and Dr Hamish Clarke (University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University)

The webinar was recorded and can be replayed here.

CRC Director Naomi Stephens, Acting Executive Director Park Operations, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, launched the Atlas. Prof Ross Bradstock and Dr Hamish Clarke explained the research that underpins the Prescribed Burning Atlas, gave a guided tour, and answered audience questions. Importantly, there are plans to further improve the Atlas, including how results from the 13 study areas are comparable with other locations around Australia.

About the Prescribed Burning Atlas

Incorporating thousands of fire simulations, the Prescribed Burning Atlas compares the level of risk reduction achieved from different combinations of prescribed burning strategies, such as smaller edge burns close to homes and larger broadscale burns. With 13 different study areas across New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland comprising different types of landscapes such as temperate forests, grasslands, savannas, deserts, woodlands and scrub, the Atlas compares the costs of different mitigation options and their effect on reducing the likelihood of life loss, property loss and environmental values, as well as the effects of climate change on prescribed burning effectiveness. The Atlas is an outcome of the From hectares to tailor made solutions for risk mitigation project.