Research and technology

Current research themes undertaken by the department’s Science Division include fire threat analysis, fuel assessment and management, fire behaviour, fire and biodiversity, fire ecology, fire suppression, and airshed management. A number of research projects are also conducted in collaboration with organisations such as Universities and the Bureau of Meteorology. The reports available above detail some of the more important work conducted in Western Australia over the last two decades.

Western Australia is part of one of the most fire prone areas in the world. Not surprisingly, fire plays an integral role in the maintenance of many of our native ecosystems. For many years the department has sponsored a comprehensive fire research and development program in Western Australia. The department’s fire research scientists continue to undertake projects of national and international significance. A number of Commonwealth Bushfire Co-operative Research Centres (CRC), such as the Bushfire CRC and the Tropical Savanna CRC also assist in ensuring the results of bushfire research is quickly passed on to Australia’s fire agencies, land managers and communities. Importantly, the CRC's increase understanding of fire in Australia and how to manage it.