Fire expertise honoured

CRC researcher Dr Kevin Tolhurst has been recognised for his long and outstanding career as a fire scientist by the International Association of Wildland Fire.

The award was presented at the IAWF's 5th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels conference in both Melbourne and Portland, Oregon, in April. The conference was hosted by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.

Dr Tolhurst, from the University of Melbourne, was given the Ember Award for sustained achievement in wildland fire science. The name 'Ember' reflects the fact that research and science often move slowly, and their benefits or impacts may not be apparent for years or more.

Other IAWF 2016 award winners were:

• Early Career Award - Guillermo Rein from the Imperial College London 
• Management Award - James Brenner from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC offered a special exhibition booth prize to one lucky conference attendee - a hand-made wooden classic fire truck.

The lucky business card drawn from the entry box belonged to CRC researcher Dr Jeff Kepert, from the Bureau of Meteorology, who also considers himself a woodwork hobbyist in his spare time.

Dr Jeff Kepert (right) with his new fire truck prize, with CEO Dr Richard Thornton.