Understanding how the dryness of the landscape influences the likelihood and nature of fires is critical for risk planning for fire and land managers. Consequently, there has been a large amount of research to develop landscape dryness products. Yet, substantial knowledge gaps persist relating to how well these dryness products can provide critical operational intelligence. For example, when and where fires may occur, when large fire complexes are more likely, when conditions are suitable for prescribed burning and when bushfire risk is negligible. This project addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating how well current landscape dryness products deliver critical operational intelligence. This project will also identify landscape dryness thresholds for mission critical events. Outcomes of the project will lead to enhanced community safety, better preparedness and reduced fire impacts.
Project timeline: 06/2023 – 06/2026