@article {bnh-8303, title = {Initial growth of fires in eucalypt litter, from ignition to steady-state rate of spread: laboratory studies}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, year = {2021}, month = {12/2021}, abstract = {

As part of an investigation of wildfire growth and acceleration, the initial growth of incipient fires burning in uniform dry eucalypt forest (Eucalyptus rossii,\ E. macrorhyncha) litter fuel of 1.2 kg m-2\ was studied in a combustion wind tunnel with a fuel bed width of 1.5 m. Fifty-eight fires of three ignition patterns (point, 400-mm line and 800-mm line) were carried out at two air speeds (1.25 and 2.0 m s-1) and two dead fuel moisture content (FMC) groups for each air speed (<=7.5\% and \>7.5\% oven-dry weight for the low air speed and <=5\% and \>5\% for the high air speed). The fraction of steady-state rate of spread reached as a function of time was determined and fitted to two theoretical fire growth models from the literature. The best model suggests the times for a point ignition fire to reach steady-state spread rate were ~38 and 50 min under the higher FMC for 2.0 m s-1\ and 1.25 m s-1\ air speeds, respectively, and ~25 min under the lower FMC for 2.0 m s-1. Future work will extend these results to field-scale fire behaviour, which will help improve operational response to wildfire outbreaks and planning of ignition patterns for prescribed burning.

}, keywords = {acceleration, combustion wind tunnel, experiments, Fire behaviour, fire development, fire growth, Pyrotron, Rate of spread}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF21094}, url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF21094}, author = {J.S. Gould and Sullivan, Andrew} } @conference {bnh-1568, title = {Building Community Resilience to Natural Hazards in Northern Australia Conference Paper 2014}, booktitle = { Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Wellington Conference 2014}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, abstract = {

Sparsely settled regions of northern Australia are extremely vulnerable to a range of annual natural hazard impacts, including those from cyclones, flooding and extensive fires. Outside of large towns, the majority of the population is Indigenous with limited access to infrastructure, or readily available institutional support for dealing with bushfires and natural hazards (BNH). Low population densities and poor communications mean that even relatively large communities have almost no formal emergency management capacity.

Natural hazards are being amplified by climate change, with likely more and bigger fires, on-going sea level rise, potentially fewer but more destructive cyclones, and more days of severe heat stress, with consequent risks to economic productivity, infrastructure and human health and wellbeing. Improving community resilience to bushfire and natural hazards in the north is an evident priority and challenge; approaches that might apply in other regions of Australia are unlikely to work in the unique institutional, infrastructural, demographic, ecological and climatic contexts of the northern third of the continent.

This paper explores potential pathways to improve community preparedness, response and recovery capabilities in remote Indigenous communities, and broader implications for public policy and government agencies in northern Australia, with reference to the research portfolio being developed in the northern hub of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.\ 

}, author = {J.S. Gould and Sithole, B and Campbell, A and Glenn James and Sutton, S} } @article {bnh-1962, title = {Post-tropical cyclone fuel assessment and bushfire risk}, number = {105}, year = {2015}, month = {07/2015}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Fire managers need better estimates of fuel hazard and loading in post-cyclone damaged vegetation\ so they can more accurately predict the behaviour of potential fires and plan fire mitigation and\ suppression strategies. In February 2015, Tropical Cyclone Marcia caused massive defoliation across the\ central coastal region of Queensland, uprooting trees and snapping off stems and branches. The\ magnitude of the damage changed the fuel hazard and loads in forest areas. This study examined a\ proportion of the forests damaged to assess fuel hazard and loading of fine fuels and downed woody\ material.

A visual assessment technique was developed and tested to provide ratings of cyclone damage and\ fuel loads. Visual cyclone damage scores reflect the quantity and arrangement of the fuel to better\ predict fire behaviour and improve planning mitigation and suppression strategies. The study\ demonstrated that severity of a cyclone can increase the fire spread and fireline intensity by 1.5 and 2.5\ fold respectively and impede fire line access. Results were used to develop a supplementary field guide\ that can be used with the existing fuel hazard guides.

}, isbn = {978-0-9941696-4-8}, issn = {105}, author = {J.S. Gould} } @proceedings {BF-4341, title = {National Fire Behaviour Knowledge Base- Bringing together the best information for best decisions}, year = {2013}, url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/resources/research-report/national-fire-behaviour-knowledge-base-bringing-together-best-information-}, author = {J.S. Gould and Sullivan, Andrew and Cruz, Miguel G. and Rucinski, Chris and Prakash, Mahesh} } @article {BF-3466, title = {Anatomy of a catastrophic wildfire: The Black Saturday Kilmore East fire in Victoria, Australia}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, year = {2012}, month = {8/2012}, abstract = {The 7 February 2009 wildfires in south-eastern Australia burned over 450,000 ha and resulted in 173 human fatalities. The Kilmore East fire was the most significant of these fires, burning 100,000 ha in less than 12 h and accounting for 70\% of the fatalities. We report on the weather conditions, fuels and propagation of this fire to gain insights into the physical processes involved in high intensity fire behaviour in eucalypt forests. Driven by a combination of exceedingly dry fuel and near-gale to gale force winds, the fire developed a dynamic of profuse short range spotting that resulted in rates of fire spread varying between 68 and 153 m min-1 and average fireline intensities up to 88,000 kW m-1. Strong winds aloft and the development of a strong convection plume led to the transport of firebrands over considerable distances causing the ignition of spotfires up to 33 km ahead of the main fire front. The passage of a wind change between 17:30 and 18:30 turned the approximately 55 km long eastern flank of the fire into a headfire. Spotting and mass fire behaviour associated with this wide front resulted in the development of a pyrocumulonimbus cloud that injected smoke and other combustion products into the lower stratosphere. The benchmark data collected in this case study will be invaluable for the evaluation of fire behaviour models. The study is also a source of real world data from which simulation studies investigating the impact of landscape fuel management on the propagation of fire under the most severe burning conditions can be undertaken.}, issn = {03781127}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2012.02.035}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and Sullivan, Andrew and J.S. Gould and Sims, N.C. and Bannister, A.J. and Jennifer J Hollis and Hurley, R.J.} } @article {BF-3146, title = {Changes in behaviour of fire in dry eucalypt forest as fuel increases with age}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, volume = {271}, year = {2012}, month = {5/2012}, pages = {170 - 181}, abstract = {This paper describes the conduct and results of a series of high-intensity experimental fires in dry eucalypt forest under summer conditions of high fire danger. Simultaneous experimental fires were conducted at two locations with contrasting understorey and fuel structures that had developed over periods of 2{\textendash}22 years after prescribed burning. Fuel characteristics (load, height, and visual scores that gave a numerical rating of structure) and wind speed were correlated with fire spread, flame height, firebrand density and spotting distance, all of which increased with time since the last fire. The near-surface layer was the dominant stratum affecting headfire rate of spread during these experiments and provided a common descriptor for fuel types that were visually very different because of the characteristics of the understorey shrubs. Visual hazard scores that reflected the quantity and arrangement of surface and near-surface fuel were more strongly correlated with most fire behaviour variables than were the corresponding fuel load variables. Visual ratings of fuel structure should be suitable to include in algorithms to predict fire behaviour and fire threat.}, issn = {03781127}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2012.02.003}, author = {Lachlan W. McCaw and J.S. Gould and Phillip Cheney, N. and Ellis, Peter and Wendy R. Anderson} } @article {BF-3100, title = {Field evaluation of two image-based wildland fire detection systems}, journal = {Fire Safety Journal}, volume = {47}, year = {2012}, month = {1/2012}, pages = {54 - 61}, abstract = {Rapid detection of wildfire outbreaks is a critical component of fire management because suppression activities are most effective when fires are small. One method of fire detection and location is computer analysis of images from sensors mounted on towers. In this paper we report on a trial of two image-based detection systems under operational conditions in forests and pasture in south-eastern Australia. The systems were deployed for 3 months in autumn, 2010, during which time a total of 12 experimental fires, 31 planned fires lit by public land management agencies, approximately 250 planned fires lit by private individuals, and 1 unplanned fire were recorded. Both image-based systems were able to detect and locate fires. They performed well for larger planned fires but poorly for small fires (View the MathML source area) at moderate distances (10{\textendash}20 km). System performance was compared to a human observer for a subset of fires. For these fires the human observer had a higher detection rate and shorter reporting time than the image-based systems. All methods of detection had a similar level of error for locating fires in the landscape once they had been detected. Operator skill was an important factor in the performance of all systems. Image-based fire detection could be a useful complement to other detection methods already in use in Australia.}, doi = {10.1016/j.firesaf.2011.11.001}, author = {Stuart Matthews and Sullivan, Andrew and J.S. Gould and Hurley, R.J. and Ellis, Peter and Larmour, John} } @article {BF-3467, title = {Fire behaviour modelling in semi-arid mallee-heath shrublands of southern Australia}, journal = {Environmental Modelling \& Software}, year = {2012}, month = {8/2012}, abstract = {Knowledge of fire behaviour potential is necessary for proactive management of fire prone shrublands. Data from two experimental burning programs in mallee-heath shrublands in semi-arid southern Australia were used to develop models for the sustainability of fire spread, fire type, i.e., surface or crown fire, forward spread rate and flame height. The dataset comprised 61 fires burned under a wide range of weather conditions. Rates of fire spread and fireline intensity varied between 4 and 55 m min-1 and 735 and 17,200 kW m-1 respectively. Likelihood of sustained fire spread and active crown fire propagation were modelled using logistic regression analysis. Fire spread sustainability was primarily a function of litter fuel moisture content with wind speed having a secondary but still significant effect. The continuity of fine fuels close to ground level was also significant. Onset of active crowning was mostly determined by wind speed. Rate of fire spread was modelled separately for surface and crown fires through nonlinear regression analysis with wind speed, litter fuel moisture content and overstorey canopy cover as significant variables. Flame height was modelled as a function of fireline intensity. A model system to predict the full range of fire behaviour in mallee-heath shrubland is proposed relying on a combined method that links the surface and crown fire rate of spread models. This model system was evaluated against independent data from large scale prescribed burns and wildfires with encouraging results. The best models for fire-spread sustainability and active crown fire propagation predicted correctly 75\% and 79\% respectively of the fires in the evaluation dataset. Rate of spread models produced mean absolute percent errors between 53\% and 58\% with only small bias. The models have applicability in planning and conducting prescribed fire operations but can also be extended to produce first order predictions of wildfire behaviour.}, issn = {13648152}, doi = {10.1016/j.envsoft.2012.07.003}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and Lachlan W. McCaw and Wendy R. Anderson and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-3262, title = {Predicting fire behaviour in dry eucalypt forest in southern Australia}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, volume = {280}, year = {2012}, month = {9/2012}, pages = {120 - 131}, abstract = {This paper describes the development of two empirical models to predict the potential spread of an established line of fire in dry eucalypt forest with a shrubby understorey. These models use inputs of fine fuel moisture, wind speed, near-surface fuel height, and either a numerical fuel hazard score or a descriptive fuel rating for the surface and near-surface fuel. A model to predict flame height from rate of spread and elevated fuel height is also presented as a guide to suppression difficulty. Models were developed using data from a series of simultaneous experimental fires in fuels of different fuel ages ranging from 2 to 22 years since last fire. They were tested against data from independent experimental fires and well documented wildfires that were assigned reliability ratings for fuel, weather and spread rate. Models performed reliably when the reliability of wildfire data ratings for fuel and weather were also high. Models predict the potential rate of spread and are likely to over-predict the spread of fires starting from a point ignition during the early stages of development when the headfire is less than 120 m wide. Existing guides should be used for prescribed burning operations based on point ignition, and the models described here can be used to predict rate of spread from line ignition. Predictions from the new models will be more reliable when rate of spread is averaged over an interval of 30 min or longer. The reliability will be low when compared to observations made over short time intervals, at specific points in the topography, or when very large fires interact to produce wind speeds that are very different to the ambient wind in the open.}, issn = {03781127}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2012.06.012}, author = {Cheney, NP and J.S. Gould and Lachlan W. McCaw and Wendy R. Anderson} } @article {BF-3089, title = {The effect of aerial suppression on the containment time of Australian wildfires estimated by fire management personnel}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The addition of aerial firefighting resources to wildfire suppression operations does not always result in faster fire containment. In this paper, containment times of fires with aerial suppression are compared with estimated containment times for the same fires without aerial suppression. Senior firefighting personnel who had worked on each fire estimated whether fires could have been contained within a time class if aircraft were not available. Data from 251 wildfires were analysed based on four fire-containment time classes: <=2, 2{\textendash}4, 4{\textendash}8 and 8{\textendash}24 h from the start of initial attack. Aircraft were perceived to reduce time to containment when firefighting conditions were more challenging owing to fuel hazard rating, weather conditions, slope, resource response times and area burning at initial attack. Comparisons of containment time with and without aircraft can be used to develop operational tools to help dispatchers decide when aircraft should be deployed to newly detected fires.}, doi = {10.1071/WF11063}, author = {Matt P Plucinski and G.J. McCarthy and Jennifer J Hollis and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-3087, title = {The Effect of Fireline Intensity on Woody Fuel Consumption in Southern Australian Eucalypt Forest Fires}, journal = {Australian Forestry}, volume = {74}, year = {2011}, pages = {81-96}, abstract = {The relationship between woody fuel consumption and fireline intensity was assessed using data collected at controlled fires and wildfires in south-western Western Australia, central Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales. The combined dataset consisted of fires in a range of dry eucalypt forests. Fire behaviour varied from slow, self-extinguishing prescribed burns to intense, fast-moving fires burning under conditions of extreme fire danger. Fireline intensity ranged from 50 kW m-1 to > 31 000 kW m-1. Woody fuel consumption ranged from 31\% to 100\%, and generally increased with fire intensity. Percentage consumption was highest for small woody fuels where the diameter was between 0.6 cm and 2.5 cm. Fireline intensity had a statistically significant, positive relationship with the proportion of woody fuel consumed by both controlled fires and wildfires. Two generalised linear models (GLM) describing woody fuel consumption as a function of fireline intensity were developed, one applicable to the prescribed fire environment (with fireline intensities typically < 750 kW m-1) and the other to the full range of fireline intensities. The prescribed burning model produced the best fit and lowest error statistics. The findings of this research have important practical implications for the management of fire to reduce fuel loads, maintain habitat and manage carbon stocks in fire-prone eucalypt forests. The woody fuel consumption models presented may assist the assessment of potential climate change impacts on coarse woody debris in Australian southern eucalypt forests. The results of this research suggest that predicted changes to fire regimes and fire intensity associated with climate change in southern Australia could result in greater woody fuel consumption and carbon release during bushfires and a reduction in woody fuel loads in dry eucalypt forests. Use of low-intensity prescribed fires may provide a practical way of managing woody fuel stocks to achieve particular land management objectives.}, url = {http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=365294696940897;res=IELHSS}, author = {Jennifer J Hollis and Wendy R. Anderson and Lachlan W. McCaw and Cruz, Miguel G. and Burrows, N.D. and Ward, B. and Tolhurst, K.G. and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2793, title = {Project FuSE Aerial Suppression Final Report}, year = {2011}, institution = {CSIRO}, type = {Bushfire CRC Research Report}, abstract = {Three experimental fires were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of different fire suppression chemicals delivered by aircraft in March 2008. The fires were conducted in mallee heath fuels in Ngarkat Conservation Park, South Australia, at a site being used for an existing fuel and fire dynamics research project. Each fire was started from a long ignition line and allowed to fully develop before being attacked by suppression. The only suppression applied to these fires came from two single engine air tankers (Airtractor AT-802F) dropping a single suppressant type in each experiment. A water enhancing gel was directly applied to the fire edge in one experiment, while a foam suppressant was applied in another. The third experimental plot involved a fire burning into a pre-laid retardant line. The different suppression chemicals used in the experiments could not be directly compared. This was because the time taken for fire to burn through most of the drops could not be determined as they were breached by spotting or burnt around and because of the range of conditions experienced for the different drops. The aerial suppression experiments presented here allowed for the development and testing of aerial suppression assessment methodologies and have produced data that can be used to develop training material. This data highlights the importance of drop placement with regard to fire behaviour and location. Footage captured using a hand held airborne infrared camera in an aerial platform demonstrated some important aerial suppression tactical issues, such as drop coverage, drop accuracy and drop placement. Fire burning through one of the retardant drops highlighted the importance of adequate ground coverage levels for stopping fire propagation. }, url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/resources/research-report/project-fuse-aerial-suppression-final-report}, author = {Matt P Plucinski and Cruz, Miguel G. and J.S. Gould} } @proceedings {BF-3092, title = {Assessing woody fuel consumption models for application in Australian forest fires}, year = {2010}, author = {Jennifer J Hollis and Stuart Matthews and Ottmar, R.D. and S.J. Prichard and Slijepcevic, A. and Burrows, N.D. and Ward, B. and Tolhurst, K.G. and Wendy R. Anderson and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2070, title = {Computing forest fires aerial suppression effectiveness by IR monitoring}, journal = {Fire Safety Journal}, year = {2010}, month = {07/2010}, abstract = {This paper describes the methodology developed to analyse IR images obtained during the aerial suppression experiments that were conducted in Ngarkat Conservation Park, South Australia, on 3{\textendash}5 March 2008. This methodology has been specifically developed in order to extract the maximum information from the IR images taken from an observing helicopter, in those tests where chemical suppressants are applied directly on the fire, although it could eventually be applied to other similar situations. The information obtained after applying this methodology allows quantifying the aerial suppression effectiveness.}, keywords = {Airborne monitoring, Chemical suppressants drops, Fire behaviour, Mallee woodland, Project FuSE}, issn = {03797112}, doi = {10.1016/j.firesaf.2010.06.004}, author = {P{\'e}rez, Yolanda and Pastor, Elsa and Planas, Eul{\`a}lia and Matt P Plucinski and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2578, title = {Fire Dynamics in Mallee Heath Vegetation}, year = {2010}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and Stuart Matthews and J.S. Gould and Ellis, Peter and Henderson, M. K. and Knight, IK and Watters, J} } @conference {BF-2460, title = {Fuel and fire behaviour in semi-arid mallee-heath shrublands}, booktitle = { 6th International Forest Fire Research Conference}, year = {2010}, month = {November 2010}, publisher = {ADAI}, organization = {ADAI}, address = {Coimbra, Portugal}, abstract = {An experimental burning program was set up in South Australia aimed at characterizing fuel dynamics and fire behaviour in mallee-heath woodlands. Fuel complexes in the experimental area comprised mallee and heath vegetation with ages (time since fire) ranging from 7 to 50 years old. Dominant overstorey mallee vegetation comprised Eucalyptus calycogona, E. diversifolia, E. incrassate and E. leptophylla. A total of 66 fires were completed. The range of fire environment conditions within the experimental fire dataset were: air temperature 15 to 39{\textdegree}C; relative humidity 7 to 80\%; mean 10-m open wind speed 3.6 to 31.5 km/h; Forest Fire Danger Index 1.7 to 46. Total fuel load ranged from 0.38 kg/m2 in young (7-year old) mallee to 1.0 kg/m2 in mature stands. Fire behaviour measurements included rate of spread, flame geometry, residence time and fuel consumption. Measured rate of spread ranged between 0.8 and 55 m/min with fireline intensity between 144 and 11,000 kW/m. The dataset provided insight into the threshold environment conditions necessary for the development of a coherent flame front able to overcome the fine scale fuel discontinuities that characterise the semi-arid mallee-heath fuel types and support self-sustained fire propagation. The data also provided a better understanding of the variables determining the behaviour of selfsustained fires, including rate of fire spread, flame dimensions, crowning and spotting activity.}, isbn = {978-989-20-2157-7}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and J.S. Gould} } @conference {BF-2461, title = {National Fire Behaviour Presiction System}, booktitle = {Biennial Conference of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, Caloundra, 2009}, year = {2010}, month = {2010}, publisher = {IFA}, organization = {IFA}, address = {Caloundra}, abstract = {The estimation of fire behaviour is an important component of any fire management approach, allowing the determination of the impacts of fire on ecosystem components and supporting forest fire management decision-making. Fire behaviour prediction combines quantitative and qualitative information based on experience and scientific principles of describing the combustion and behaviour of fire influence by topography, weather and fuel. Predictions are based on mathematical models that integrate important factors in a consistent way. The National Fire Behaviour Prediction (NFBP) system will consist of four primary components (fuel models, fuel moisture models, wind models, and fire behaviour models) to predict fire characteristics (e.g., rate of spread, flame height, fireline intensity, onset of crowning spotting potential, etc). This paper will focus on the fire behaviour component of the NFBP system. This component integrates a suite of models covering the main fuel types of Australia, eucalyptus forests, exotic pine plantations, grasslands, shrublands and Mallee-heath. The desired accomplishments of the proposed National Fire Behaviour Prediction Systems is to provide fire managers with better operating models to implement prescribed burning programs, suppression resources, risk and biodiversity management programs. The fuel type specificity of the fire models, its greater accuracy and updated calculation methods allow also for more accurate simulations of the impact of hypothetical climate change scenarios on fire potential and risk in Australia.}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2582, title = {Testing woody fuel consumption models for application in Australian southern eucalypt forest fires}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, volume = {260}, year = {2010}, month = {08/2010}, pages = {948 - 964}, abstract = {Five models for the consumption of coarse woody debris or woody fuels with a diameter larger than 0.6 cm were assessed for application in Australian southern eucalypt forest fires including: CONSUME models for (1) activity fuels, (2) natural western woody and (3) natural southern woody fuels, (4) the BURNUP model and (5) the recommendation by the Australian National Carbon Accounting System which assumes 50\% woody fuel consumption. These models were assessed using field data collected as part of the woody fuel consumption project (WFCP) in south-west Western Australia and northern-central Victoria. Three additional datasets were also sourced to increase variability in forest type, fuel complex and fire characteristics. These datasets comprised data from south-west Western Australia collected as part of Project Aquarius, the Warra Long Term Ecological Research site in Tasmania and Tumbarumba in south-eastern New South Wales. Combined the dataset represents a range of fire behaviour characteristic of prescribed burning conditions with a maximum fireline intensity of almost 4000 kW m-1. Woody fuel consumption was found to be highly variable between sites ranging from 9.1\% to 89.9\%. Relationships between woody fuel consumption and the primary model drivers were weak (maximum R2 = 0.097). Model evaluation statistics were best for the National Carbon Accounting Systems assumption of 50\% with a mean absolute error of 11.1\% fuel consumption and minimal bias (0.12). Nonetheless, this assumption does not capture large deviations where woody fuel consumption has been particularly high or low. The BURNUP model yielded the largest level of error when used with natural fuels however its predictive capacity improved when used with large modified fuel loads resulting from clearcut operations.}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2010.06.007}, author = {Jennifer J Hollis and Stuart Matthews and Ottmar, R.D. and S.J. Prichard and Slijepcevic, A. and Burrows, N.D. and Ward, B. and Tolhurst, K.G. and Wendy R. Anderson and J.S. Gould} } @conference {BF-2462, title = {Field-based fire behaviour research: past and future roles}, booktitle = {MODSIM Congress}, year = {2009}, month = {2009}, url = {http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim09/A4/cruz.pdf}, author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-1002, title = {Existing fire behaviour models under-predict the rate of spread of summer fires in open jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest.}, journal = {Australian Forestry }, volume = {71}, number = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {3/22/2008}, pages = {16-26}, url = {http://www.forestry.org.au/pdf/pdf-members/afj/AFJ\%202008\%20v71/1/04McCaw.pdf}, author = {Lachlan W. McCaw and J.S. Gould and Cheney, NP} } @article {BF-1047, title = {The Effectiveness and Efficiency of Aerial Firefighting in Australia}, year = {2007}, month = {7/05/2007}, institution = {Bushfire CRC }, type = {Research Report}, author = {Matt P Plucinski and J.S. Gould and G.J. McCarthy and Jennifer J Hollis} } @article {BF-1009, title = {Field Guide- Fuel assessment and fire behaviour prediction in dry euclaypt forest}, volume = {82}, year = {2007}, month = {11/01/2007}, institution = {Ensis- CSIRO \& Department of Enivironment and Conservation, WA}, author = {J.S. Gould and Lachlan W. McCaw and Cheney, NP and Ellis, Peter and Stuart Matthews} } @book {BF-1001, title = {Fire Behaviour in Dry Eucalypt Forest Fuels}, year = {2007}, month = {11/01/2007}, publisher = {Ensis- CSIRO \& Department of Enivironment and Conservation, WA}, organization = {Ensis- CSIRO \& Department of Enivironment and Conservation, WA}, author = {Lachlan W. McCaw and Cheney, NP and J.S. Gould} } @proceedings {BF-2429, title = {Fuel dynamics and fire behaviour in Australian mallee and heath vegetation}, year = {2007}, url = {http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/28563}, author = {Myers, Juanita and J.S. Gould and Cruz, Miguel G. and Henderson, M. K.} } @article {BF-2364, title = {A physics-based approach to modelling grassland fires}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {16}, year = {2007}, month = {2007}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Physics-based coupled fire{\textendash}atmosphere models are based on approximations to the governing equations of fluid dynamics, combustion, and the thermal degradation of solid fuel. They require significantly more computational resources than the most commonly used fire spread models, which are semi-empirical or empirical. However, there are a number of fire behaviour problems, of increasing relevance, that are outside the scope of empirical and semi-empirical models. Examples are wildland{\textendash}urban interface fires, assessing how well fuel treatments work to reduce the intensity of wildland fires, and investigating the mechanisms and conditions underlying blow-up fires and fire spread through heterogeneous fuels. These problems are not amenable to repeatable full-scale field studies. Suitably validated coupled atmosphere{\textendash}fire models are one way to address these problems. This paper describes the development of a three-dimensional, fully transient, physics-based computer simulation approach for modelling fire spread through surface fuels. Grassland fires were simulated and compared to findings from Australian experiments. Predictions of the head fire spread rate for a range of ambient wind speeds and ignition line-fire lengths compared favourably to experiments. In addition, two specific experimental cases were simulated in order to evaluate how well the model predicts the development of the entire fire perimeter.}, doi = {10.1071/WF06002}, author = {William Mell and Jenkins, Mary Ann and J.S. Gould and Cheney, NP} } @article {BF-1010, title = {Project Vesta- Fire in dry eucalypt Forest: Fuel structure, fuel dynamics and fire behaviour}, volume = {218}, year = {2007}, month = {11/01/2007}, institution = {Ensis- CSIRO \& Department of Enivironment and Conservation, WA}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/pid/5993.htm}, author = {J.S. Gould and Lachlan W. McCaw and Cheney, NP and Ellis, Peter and Knight, IK and Sullivan, Andrew} } @article {BF-1042, title = {Aerial Suppression Experiment, Cambridge Tasmania, 21-23 February 2005}, volume = {47}, year = {2006}, month = {6/30/2006}, institution = {Ensis- CSIRO }, type = {Technical Report}, url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/sites/default/files/managed/resource/2005_suppression_experiment.pdf}, author = {Matt P Plucinski and G.J. McCarthy and J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2428, title = {Applying Fire Spread Simulators in New Zealand and Australia: Results from an International Seminar}, year = {2006}, abstract = {There is currently no spatial wildfi re spread and growth simulation model used commonly across New Zealand or Australia. Fire management decision-making would be enhanced through the use of spatial fi re simulators. Various groups from around the world met in January 2006 to evaluate the applicability of different spatial fi re spread applications for common use in both New Zealand and Australia. Developers and researchers from Canada, the United States, and Australia were invited to apply Prometheus, FARSITE, and other similar models to New Zealand and Australian wildfi res in grass, scrub, and forested fuel types. Although the lack of site-specifi c fuel models and weather data were a concern, coarse spatial and temporal data inputs proved adequate for modeling fi res within a reasonable margin of error. The choice of grass models proved less important than expected since spread rates were easily manipulated through moisture content values during calibration. The fi nal modeled perimeters are affected by several user inputs that are impossible to separate from model error. These various inputs exist to allow experienced users to approximate local environmental variability as closely as possible to obtain successful outputs. Rather than attempt to quantify direct comparisons, local users concluded it was more important to choose an application that provides an appropriate level of functionality, that is compatible with current data and fi re management systems, and that can be easily modifi ed to use unique and varied fi re spread equations. Prometheus and FARSITE performed very well and will be further investigated to understand how each might be customized for use with local fi re spread models. This paper describes the process and results of testing some existing fi re growth simulation models for use on fi res in New Zealand and Australia.}, url = {http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p041/rmrs_p041_201_212.pdf}, author = {Tonja Opperman and J.S. Gould and Mark Finney and Cordy Tymstra} } @article {BF-1008, title = {Fuel management- an integral part of fire management: Trans-Tasman Perspective}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire }, year = {2006}, url = {http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/25934{\^A}~}, author = {J.S. Gould} } @proceedings {BF-2430, title = {Fuel Management-An Integral Part of Fire Management: Trans-Tasman Perspective}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Although Australia and New Zealand have quite different fire climates and fuels, the common understanding of fire behaviour underlies many facets of fire management in both countries. Fire management is the legal responsibility of various government land management agencies that manage public lands and individuals, local governments or corporations that manage private land. Volunteer bushfire/rural brigades have been formed throughout rural and peri-urban areas and are coordinated by rural and metropolitan fire authorities for specific activities such as fire suppression and fuel management. During the last two decades there has been an increasing interaction between Australia and New Zealand rural and land management fire agencies exchanging fire management practices, lesson’s learnt, common incident command systems and more recently, through partnership in their research programs. Both countries face a similar array of challenges in meeting their fire management objectives and the task is becoming increasingly difficult. As overarching services provided by governments, fire management has been subject to financial pressures, resulting in staff reductions and erosion of traditional levels of fire management resources. Resources are declining at a time when demands for protection by the general community are increasing. Concurrently, the demands for ecologically appropriate fire management practices and concerns about the long-term impacts of prescribed burning have led to the suggestions that, in some areas, fire is adversely affecting biodiversity and long-term sustainability of natural ecosystems. These issues are overlain by debate about how fire can affect climate change, greenhouse gas balance at the landscape and national level, and whether such changes are being exacerbated by managed and/or wildland fires.}, url = {http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/25934}, author = {J.S. Gould} } @article {BF-2350, title = {Woody fuel consumption experiments in an undisturbed forest}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, volume = {234}, year = {2006}, month = {11/2006}, pages = {S109 - S109}, doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2006.08.145}, author = {Tolhurst, K.G. and Wendy R. Anderson and J.S. Gould} }