- Title:
-
Can Weather Indices Predict the Probability of Large Fires in the Sydney Region?
- Date:
- June 2006
- Organisations
- DECCW
- Authors:
- Janet S Cohn; Ross A Bradstock; A. Malcolm Gill; Michael Bedward
- Location:
- Australia, Australia
Overview
Although weather has a major impact on fire spread, few studies have examined its relationship with area burnt. Indices can act as surrogates for weather variables. The forest fire danger index (FFDI) is determined by both drought (drought factor (DF)) and ambient (relative humidity, air temperature, wind velocity (FFDI-DF)) conditions. Using long term historical records (1960-2003) on fire occurrence in the Sydney region, we examined the probability of large areas burnt (> 1000ha) in relation to DF and FFDI-DF on ignition day.
