UWA, Landgate and DFES produce software to help predict bushfire behaviour
UWA, Landgate and DFES produce software to help predict bushfire behaviour
12 December 2013
published by www.abc.net.au
Australia — New $5.6 million fire simulator software will help predict the behaviour of bushfires, helping firefighters and providing more timely warnings to residents.
The Aurora fire simulator software unveiled today at WA’s Department of Emergency Services uses satellite, geographic, weather and other data streams to predict the fire path.
It has been developed by the University of WA, working with Landgate and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and will be used in fire-fighting operations this summer.
The Emergency Services Minister, Joe Francis, says the Aurora fire simulator is a kind of “foggy crystal ball” giving better insight into how the fire will spread, which areas will be under threat, and when.
DFES says the Aurora fire simulator will improve fire predictions, but warns it is no substitute for residents being properly prepared for the fire season.
Mr Francis says the simulator will be a big asset to firefighters and the public.
“This will essentially save lives, save homes, and give firefighters and authorities advanced warning on how they expect fire to behave,” he said.
