Modelling investigation of lofting phenomena and wind variability

 

This project is made up of two parts that complement and add to the work being undertaken by the CSIRO Team.  

Part 1 of this work 

It is recognised that broad fire fronts generally propagate more rapidly than narrow “linear” fires.  Atmospheric conditions with high wind direction variability are important because they contribute to the broadening of fire fronts.  This component investigates boundary layer structures in high resolution ACCESS data conducive to high wind direction variability, and aims to recommend ways to improve forecasting of these phenomena.

Part 2 of this work 

There is anecdotal evidence that fire brand transport is more extensive in complex terrain.  This implies that updrafts may be more intense or more numerous in such terrain, leading to greater lofting and downstream transport of firebrands.  In this component at least two of the most likely causes of enhanced updrafts will be investigated in high resolution ACCESS data to confirm whether they are likely to contribute to enhanced firebrand transport.  If confirmed the study outcomes will aim to recommend techniques for improving the forecasting of these phenomena.

Related News

The change in the way that bushfires are managed has been strengthened by the extensive and concerted efforts of the Bushfire CRC.
AFAC 2013 Conference Logo
The formal proceedings of the Research Forum, held as part of the 2013 Bushfire CRC and AFAC Conference in Melbourne are now available.
Photo - Carrol Preston, Department of Sustainabilty and Environment
Hot temperatures, high winds and low humidity are important factors in bushfire behaviour. Predicting these complex weather interactions is the goal of a Bushfire CRC project being led by the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Bushfire CRC, in partnership with the Australian Science Media Centre, conducted an online background briefing on bushfires on current national bushfire research projects on 13 December 2012.

Publications from this Project

Conference Proceedings

J.D. Kepert; R.J.B. Fawcett; K.J. Tory; W. Thurston
R.J.B. Fawcett; W. Thurston; J.D. Kepert; K.J. Tory

Report