Our research
We’re pioneering improved understanding of bushfire and associated processes, and their relation to firefighter and community safety.
UNSW Bushfire is driving breakthroughs in fundamental and applied research into bushfire behaviour and propagation, including coupled/dynamic effects. We're developing scientifically rigorous models that integrate with fire safety and risk management systems.
The extreme fire conditions occurring in Australia are unprecedented due to prolonged drought, scorching temperatures, and strong winds. There are significant ecological, economic, health, and social costs associated with this extreme weather, which creates catastrophic bushfire conditions that exceed known firefighting technologies.
Learn more about our research and bushfire processes through our Bushfire Explainers featuring easy to read one pager articles, short explainer videos and a ‘Do you know’ series of micro videos.
Active areas of research
How our research is having a real-world impact
- Professor Guan Yeoh and team formulated a new fire-retardant paint in 2023 – the first to pass the stringent .
- Adjunct Professor Rick McRae developed a world-first warning system for extreme bushfires that can be an invaluable tool for firefighting services, in 2023.
- Professor Jason Sharples provided expert evidence to the .
- UNSW Bushfire ¹û¶³app provided expert advice to the panel for the , Fire Impact and Suppression Indices development.
- UNSW Bushfire ¹û¶³app provided expert advice to the , Office of NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
- UNSW Bushfire ¹û¶³app helped develop the fire behaviour model for spinifex grasslands, which forms part of the
- In response to the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, Professor Jason Sharples provided expert advice to the , the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 and
- The have incorporated key findings of UNSW Bushfire research into their .