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Researchers unite to fight bushfires§ Understanding the behaviour of arsonists § Validating Australia’s unique “stay or go” bushfire evacuation policy § Better protection for fire fighters from toxic fumes § Asking how much control burning is too much burning § Predicting the affect of climate change on bushfires and the impact of bushfires on climate change § Thirty research projects, thirty fire control and research agencies uniting to advance bushfire research “The new national Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre will dramatically enhance Australia’s capacity to manage and control bushfires,” said Peter McGauran, launching the CRC in Melbourne today. Research over the twenty years since Ash Wednesday has contributed to Australia’s ability to manage the impact of bushfires,” he said. “But there’s still much to do.” “We’ve brought together Australia’s major fire control agencies and researchers from CSIRO, the universities, State agencies, and the Bureau of Meteorology,” said Bushfire CRC Director Kevin O’Loughlin. “The participation of the Victorian Country Fire Authority, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue, the Tasmanian Government, forest and land management agencies, and all other major Australian fire agencies will help us ensure that the results of our research quickly filter through to fire fighters and land managers,” he said. “The Australian Government is contributing nearly $25 million over seven years,” said Minister McGauran, “Adding to total cash and in-kind resources of nearly $100 million.” Arson: the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety is investigating arson - the cause of many bushfires and asking, what’s the profile of an arsonist? Learning more about these fire-starters may help us reduce the number of fires started. When to burn: NSW and ACT researchers will look at the impact of weather, terrain, vegetation, fuel loads and fire management strategies on the incidence, intensity and spread of recent major fires. NT researchers will look at the impact of burning on plants, animals and climate change. Recruiting volunteer firefighters and keeping them alive: La Trobe University psychologists look at the recruiting and retention of volunteer fire fighters; and how important safety decisions are made during fires. The Vic CFA, NSW RFS and CSIRO will evaluate their fire truck protection system, and investigate occupational health issues. Better forecasts: The Bureau of Meteorology will develop ‘nowcasts’ with detailed weather predictions for the next 1-12 hours, focussing on wind changes. And they’ll develop a national system to forecast the movement of bushfire smoke – a major issue for our cities. University of Melbourne researchers will investigate the impact of climate change – will we see more and bigger fires? Australia’s “stay or go” policy for communities threatened by bushfires is unique. We learnt from Ash Wednesday that evacuation isn’t always the best option. Vic CFA and RMIT researchers will assess the adoption of the Stay or Go policy and the legal and community implications. WA CALM and CSIRO will use the Tumbarumba fires to prove their forest fire prediction system. Press releases on each of these stories are available at www.scienceinpublic.com |
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Bushfire CRC launch materials are embargoed until 10.30am on Tuesday 9 DecemberFor further
information please contact Niall Byrne,
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