Discovery questions current bushfire mitigation approach

Researchers have discovered a new bushfire phenomenon called “fire channelling” that occurs only on steep slopes facing away from the wind.

The research team found that a fire could spread at right angles to the direction it would be expected to spread - a behaviour that was not consistent with known forms of bushfire movement.

The finding suggests that existing mitigation practice might need to be updated and a better national bushfire training curriculum is now being developed.