Fire service agencies now have more critical information for designing and communicating fire spread prediction maps through Natural Hazards Research Australia’s (the Centre) latest Hazard Note, which will improve community safety and enhance these important tools.
The Hazard Note is a plain-language summary of findings of Work Package 8 in the Predictions in public: understanding the design, communication and dissemination of predictive maps to the public project, which involved discussions with community focus groups to understand how people interpret and respond to fire spread prediction maps.
Hazard Note 12: Community interpretation of bushfire prediction maps explains how the focus group participants comprehended different types of maps, providing fire service agencies insights into what works and what does not when designing these resources.
Ultimately, the findings will improve community safety and resilience through giving fire service agencies the information they need to create clear and effective fire spread prediction maps.