Fire fuels webinar promotes important conversation

The National Fire Fuels Science Webinar series continued to attract a virtual crowd yesterday, with nearly 500 attendees tuning in to the second of three in the series, hosted by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the Australian Academy of Science. 

In an engaging discussion, the audience heard about the science of hazard reduction from five expert panellists: Dr Neil Burrows (FireNinti Consultancy), Prof Mike Clarke (La Trobe University), A/Prof Tina Bell (University of Sydney and the CRC), Dr Phil Zylstra (Curtin University) and Prof Mark Adams (Swinburne University).

Dr Burrows explained the importance of scientific, historical and experiential evidence that supports the benefits of prescribed burning. Prof Clarke outlined the key issues with defining the conditions that are needed for large fires, discussing the relationships between fire risk and fuel reduction burning. A/Prof Bell discussed the importance of analysing two assets, carbon and water, and the influence of planned and unplanned fires on these important resources. Dr Zylstra highlighted the nuanced relationship between fuel load and rate of spread, and identified some theoretical and practical evidence relating to flammability. Prof Adams described some key myths, miscalculations and misunderstandings about leaf litter and fire fuel, and how to combat them.

If you missed out on the webinar, don't worry. Replay it in full above or via our Hazard Channel, with speaker presentations also available. You can also get further details on the science presented, with papers from Dr Burrows, Prof Clarke and Dr Zylstra.

The final in the series is on Wednesday 20 May, 11am AEST, with land management practitioners on the practice of hazard reduction: what are the potentials and limitations? Speakers will be Dr Adam Leavesley (ACT Parks and Conservation Service), Dr Valerie Densmore (WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions), Ruth Ryan (HVP Plantations) and Dr Simon Heemstra (NSW Rural Fire Service).

The National Fire Fuels Science webinar series is being held as a scaled down version of a forum that was scheduled on the topic for late March in Canberra. The Canberra forum was cancelled due to coronavirus.