New prescribed burning book profiles skill and expertise

Prescribed burning is an essential part of bushfire mitigation and land management in Australia, as was highlighted and discussed in the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC’s recent webinar series on the topic. A new book from the Centre of Excellence for Prescribed Burning profiles key researchers and operational leaders with experience of prescribed burning in the Australian landscape.

Available to purchase from the AFAC website, Prescribed burning in Australasia: the science, practice and politics of burning the bush is centred around three themes: the social context of burning, evidence-led objectives, and diversity of expert opinions on the complexity and scope of bushfire knowledge.

Co-edited by CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton and Dr Adam Leavesley (ACT Parks and Conservation Service) and Mike Wouters (SA Department of Environment and Water), the book also features research and opinions from more than 50 experts, including several CRC researchers and partners.

Chapters are authored by CRC researchers Prof Steven Dovers and Dr Geoffrey Cary from the Australian National University, A/Prof Trent Penman and Dr Thomas Duff from the University of Melbourne, Dr Owen Price and Prof Ross Bradstock from the University of Wollongong, as well as A/Prof Tina Bell, Dr Mana Gharun and Dr Malcolm Possell from the University of Sydney. Other CRC research contributors include Prof Mark Adams (Swinburne), Adj Prof Jeremy Russell-Smith (Charles Darwin University) and Dr Luke Collins (Western Sydney University).

Expert opinion pieces are included from some of the CRC’s key partner organisations, including Dr Lachlan McCaw (WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions), Neil Burrows (FireNinti Consultancy), Neil Cooper (ACT Parks and Conservation Service), Greg Nettleton (formerly SA Country Fire Service), Alen Slijepcevic (Country Fire Authority) and Naomi Stephens (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage).

Prescribed burning in Australasia launched through AFAC and AIDR on 28 May and is available to purchase from the AFAC online shop.