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Research

Research into NSW bush fires

The NSW Rural Fire Service regularly conducts research into fire events to better understand how the community prepares for and responds to the threat of fire.

Current Research Projects

No active research at this time.

Previous Research Projects and Reports

2019-20 bush fire season

The NSW RFS engaged the Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC to conduct research into the 2019-20 bush fire season.

This research investigated how people across NSW were affected by the bush fires and what actions they took. Themes covered in this research include risk communication, preparedness and how this changed due to the length of the fire season, and the experiences of tourists and visitors, especially during the Christmas and New Year period. Due to the COVID-19 situation, online and telephone research took place with impacted communities.

You can read about the research and the findings here.

March 2018 Bega Valley Bush Fires

In March 2018, unseasonable conditions hit the south coast of NSW with a large and destructive bush fire burning in the Bega Valley area. The fire heavily impacted on the coastal township of Tathra.

The NSW RFS engaged the Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC to conduct community research. The research focused on community preparation, communications and warnings, and actions taken by the community.

You can read about the research and findings here.

January and February 2017 Bush Fires

During January and February 2017, NSW faced some of the most difficult bush fire conditions ever forecast. Catastrophic fire danger ratings were experienced across a number of areas, and a series of large and destructive fires impacted on communities.

Researchers interviewed residents and visitors in areas including Coonabrabran, Currandooley and Carwoola.

You can read more about the research and findings on the Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC Website.

October 2013 Bush Fires

The NSW Rural Fire Service engaged the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre to conduct community research into the October 2013 bush fires.

Research was conducted in three locations affected by the bush fires including Port Stephens, Blue Mountains (including Springwood/Winmalee, Mount Victoria and along the Bells Line of Road), and the Southern Highlands.

You can download the final research report and summary.

January 2013 Bush Fires

In January 2013, fires impacted on communities including Port Stephens, Coonabarabran and the Southern Tablelands. Some parts of the state experienced a Catastrophic bush fire danger rating - the first time a rating of this level had been applied to large population centres.

Following these fires, research was conducted including face to face interviews and an online survey.

You can read more about the research and findings on the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre website.