Wild Fire Workshop June 2005

It is proposed that a workshop be convened to explore possibilities for the development of a proposal for international collaboration under the auspices WWRP project.

WWRP is part of the WMO with a mission to develop improved and cost effective forecasting techniques, with emphasis on high impact weather and to promote their application among WMO Member States. WWRP employs Research and Development Projects (RDP) and Forecast Demonstration Projects (FDP) to advance science and technology and its application to high impact weather events.

A WWRP FDP must addresses forecasts of weather with international applicability, and with emphasis on high impact weather. The formal FDP should include

• Clear evaluation protocols

• The prospect of providing a clear advance on current local or global operational practice

• Forecasts provided in real-time and forecast information communicated to users for their utilization and subsequent impact evaluation

• Techniques, systems, or skills comprising suitable for subsequent transfer to WMO members for operational use

An FDP involves real time dissemination of products, involvement of international researchers, located within an operational agency providing products to end-users. The RDP does not require real time generation of products.

Possible activities include:

1. Assessment and use of fire danger indices in the management of fire potential.

2. The utility of latest decision support systems including fire behaviour models. This area is considered to have potential for both RDP and FDP activities including end-user participation.

The workshop will be invitation only with participants indicated below. The workshop will aim to develop a focused plan for consideration by the WWRP and the participating agencies and involve a small core group. Key issues will include the focus of project, location, timing, duration and degree of international involvement and end-user participation.

It is proposed that the workshop will be held on 6 June 2005 at the BMRC in Melbourne (700 Collins St DOCKLANDS) prior to the Australian Bushfire CRC Fire Mangers’ Research Meeting from7-9 June in Beechworth, NE Victoria, Australia. Participants will be invited to take part in this workshop (see attached agenda). Transport to Beechworth and accommodation will be arranged by the organizers. Following the Beechworth Fire Managers’ Research Meeting a small workshop will be held at the BCRC in Melbourne on Friday, 10 June, 2005. International participants will be invited to give presentations. Follow up from the 6 June, 2005 meeting is planned on the afternoon of that day.

Participants will contacted directly regarding financial support

L. Anderson Berry (Bureau of Meteorology, Australia)

T. Brown (Desert Research Institute, USA)

F. Fujioka (USDA Forest Service, USA)

B. de Groot (Canadian Fire Service, Northern Forestry Centre)

J. Gould (BCRC, Australia)

G. Ganewatta (BCRC, Australia)

T. Jones (Rural Fire Service NSW)

R Ochoa (Bureau of Land Management, USA)

K. O’Loughlin (BCRC, Australia)

G. Mills (BMRC, Australia)

P. Billing(Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria)

T. Rolinski (Bureau of Land Management, USA)

R. Rees (CFA Victoria)*

B. Southern (Bureau of Meteorology, Australia)

J Coen (NCAR, USA)

D. Viegas (University of Coimbra, Portugal)

Mark Chladil (Tasmanian Fire Service)

T. Keenan (BMRC)

* To be confirmed.

Contacts: T. Keenan (BMRC) t.keenan@bom.gov.au, G. Mills g.mills@bom.gov.au, K. O’Loughlin, kevin.oloughlin@bushfirecrc.com

Bushfire Wild Fire Workshop

Aim: Through international collaboration consider mechanisms to demonstrate the processes by which weather information is maximized in wild fire management and decision making and to enhance these processes.

Session 1 Background Presentations and Information Sharing.

0900 Welcome and Overview

O’Loughlin and Keenan

Possible Areas of Collaboration:

Utility of Fire Danger Index Forecasts

Decision Support Systems

Fire Behaviour Modelling.

Presentations based on experiences at each national institute or program addressing the current and emerging practices, associated products, their use, opportunities and advantages for collaboration, any specific requirements and potential problems.

0915 Tim Brown (DRI)

0930 Francis Fujioka (USFS)

0945 Rick Ochoa (BLM)

1000 Tom Rolinski (BLM)

1015 Bill De Groot (CFS)

1030 Coffee

1045- Domingos Viegas (UC)

1100 J Coen (NCAR)

1115 Jim Gould (CSIRO)

1145 Graham Mills(BMRC)

Session 2 Possibilities and Mechanisms for End User Involvement in Trials

1200 G. Ganewatta (CRC)

1215 P. Billing (DSE Victoria)

1230 T. Jones (RFS NSW)

1245-1345 Lunch

Session 3

1345-1430 Summaries of Potential Opportunities and Associated Requirements

Lead Facilitators as nominated (suggestions alternatives appreciated against each topic)

Intercomparison and Utility of Fire Danger Indices (R. Ochoa 15 minutes)

Fire Behaviour Modelling (D. Viegas 15 minutes)

Utility and Availability of Decision Support Models (F. Fujioka 15 minutes)

1430-1600 Session 4 Open Discussion

(Facilitator and Chair: Kevin O’Loughlin)

Which one(s) of the above have significant potential for use as part of an internationally coordinated program

Research and development activities best treated in non real time

Potential for demonstration of techniques in an operational setting (where, when, end users etc..)

What links need to be established to promote the above

Possibilities for the formation of steering group and a proposal for activities

Delegation of Tasks

Timelines etc

1600 Meeting Conclusion

1615 Depart for Beechworth

10 June Follow up meeting Bushfire CRC Melbourne

The meeting will be held 6 June 2005 on the 6^th floor meeting room at the Bureau in Melbourne now located at 700 Collins St DOCKLANDS (western end of Melbourne). Proceed west along Collins St crossing Spencer St. Continue west on overpass that is the Collins St extension. Bureau of Meteorology is located on the northern side (only large building with Medibank signage).

Other Melbourne Information and Potential Hotels

A visitors information booklet is attached providing details of transport, hotels etc. Further information on Melbourne hotels maybe found at the following web site http://www.wotif.com under Melbourne CBD.