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Abstract
Research conducted via the Australian Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (BCRC) developed methods for assessing postfire hydrologic risk to human life, infrastructure, and water quality. End users of BCRC products identified the project for utilization, and a small team of practitioners and researchers was established. The utilization team developed a three-phase plan. Phase one was an Australia-wide assessment of postfire hydrologic risk and the development of national guidelines based on general principles. Phase two was the application of the national risk guidelines to the water catchments of the Australian Capital Territory. The tools developed included risk algorithms based on geographic information systems, combined with an Australian adaptation of the FIREMON fire severity mapping system. Phase three is aimed at parameterizing the postfire hydrologic models for specific catchments to deliver quantitative information. The project has generated some lessons about the research utilization process: 1) End users must be clear about what they need and have a sound technical understanding of the research, 2) all parties need to have a common picture of what is to be developed and how it is to be used, and 3) researchers should be prepared to synthesize their work such that the complexity of processes does not impede the development of practical tools.
Parent Publication
Citation
Leavesley, Adam; Nyman, Petter; Krusel, Noreen; Sheridan, Gary; Cooper, Neil. 2020. Using prescribed burn fire severity assessments to estimate postburn hydrologic risk. In: Hood, Sharon M.; Drury, Stacy; Steelman, Toddi; Steffens, Ron, [eds.]. Proceedings of the Fire Continuum-Preparing for the future of wildland fire; 2018 May 21-24; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-78. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 157-167.
