Information

NBIC addresses the on-going need for science-based, readily accessible national data and analysis on bushfire hazard potential.

The National Bushfire Intelligence Capability (NBIC) builds on new and existing collaborations, data and science.

We do this through the development of fireline intensity potential mapping products and the capture of relevant lessons about infrastructure loss through the Disaster Assessment Surveyor System for application to all hazards.

NBIC has also created governance structures designed to explicitly address common institutional challenges associated with national data harmonisation efforts.

Fireline intensity potential

We have developed a set of demonstration outputs that show fireline intensity potential and the various data layers used to calculate it. The outputs consider future climate over a range of timescales using readily accessible data. Explore the buttons to find out more.

Terrain

Fire weather potential

Bushfire extents

Dynamic fuels

Fireline intensity potential

An aerial view of burnt vegetation and houses from the Tathra bushfire

Disaster Assessment Surveyor System

We are building a post-disaster impact assessment app. The Disaster Assessment Surveyor System (DASS) is a flexible assessment system that supports all hazards, not just bushfires. The platform helps government agencies, researchers, and citizens perform post-incident damage and impact assessments.

Governance

We have designed governance arrangements explicitly to address the common institutional challenges associated with national data harmonisation efforts.

A photo of three people discussing fire damage to a house.

Building Loss Probability

Building Loss Probability (BLP) estimates the chance that a building will be destroyed in a bushfire, based on broad landscape factors – such as fireline intensity, proximity to vegetation, the terrain and bark hazard – it does not include specific building features or mitigation actions.

Use cases

The true value of data lies in how it is applied when it is used to inform decisions, solve problems or guide strategic planning. This is especially true in the context of natural hazards, where timely, relevant and actionable data can be the difference between resilience and vulnerability.

Use cases demonstrate how data is applied in real-world scenarios. Illustrating specific examples of data use, validates the relevance of the data and builds confidence in its potential to drive meaningful change.

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of bushfires, there is a growing need for a national, cohesive understanding of bushfire risk both now and into the future. Developing and sharing use cases that show how bushfire-related data is being used to assess risk, allocate resources and plan for future scenarios is useful to understanding the value of the data.

Use case: Fireline Intensity Potential layers

We refine and combine terrain or slope, vegetation and weather data layers to predict reasonable worst-case fireline intensity at any given location across Australia.

A landscape image superimposed with coloured dots to represent bushfire risk

Use case: Infrastructure planning and upgrades

Our bushfire hazard mapping products can inform decisions for investment in resilience in the built environment, ranging from residential housing to industry assets.

A group of people conducting a business meeting

Use case: Networking and capability building

We bring together stakeholders from across Australia to co-design outputs and share data to meet user needs.

A photo of two people walking down a hospital corridor

Use case: Department of Health and Aged Care

As the national agency responsible for health and wellbeing, the Department of Health and Aged Care needs accurate and timely data and information to manage responses to bushfires for both short- and long-term planning.