The 2013 Fire, Weather and Risk Workshop was held in Busselton, WA from 15-17 May.
The workshop brought weather, fire modelling and risk assessment researchers together with forecasters and fire officers to discuss a wide range of issues, with an emphasis on transfer of research to operations.
The agenda covered the latest research, forecasting practices, operational applications, bushfire risk management, technology and training. The packed program included eminent international and national speakers and features a tour of the 2011 Margaret River fire site – an event used by several speakers to illustrate issues faced by practitioners. The workshop program provided an entertaining and thought-provoking three days that were a major professional development activity for attendees. Outcomes of the workshop will soon be published.
The 2013 workshop was supported by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, the Department of Environment and Conservation (WA), the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA) and the Bushfire CRC.
The previous workshop in this series was held in Bowral NSW in 2011.
Further information about that workshop, including the final report, can be found at here.
Workshop goals
The goals of the workshop are:
1. to foster liaison between meteorologists, researchers, risk managers and fire agency practitioners and managers;
2. to help practitioners keep up to date with the latest developments; and
3. to provide feedback to researchers on the operational needs of forecasters, risk managers and fire officers.
