Fuel reduction in the Karri Forest and bushfire impact

A study into the Karri Forest structure, modification of understorey fuels and the effect of bushfire behaviour during Denmark Fire event February 2022.

This presentation is a Masters Study project at ECU undertaken in 2022 post the Denmark bushfire event that occurred over the 4^th to the 6^th February 2022.

The Masters study aimed to answer the following questions:

Of the 2000ha of forest and farmland how much of karri forest was burnt?
Was the karri forest understorey modified adjacent to dwellings or structures?
If the karri forest was modified did this contribute to protecting the house or structures adjacent?
Can the karri trees remain in an Asset Protection Zone as the tree form is so high, has low flammability (i.e. smooth bark) and the majority of fuels are located in the understorey.
Do the adjacent trees (i.e. marri, jarrah or taller midstory species), contribute to the bushfire flame height and therefore the bushfire intensity?

This presentation outline’s the findings from the above posed questions and the methodology used to determine the radiant heat impact of the fire utilising accepted methods currently being used in bushfire science in WA (AS3959 radiant heat methodology and DFES fuel sampling methodology).

Kathryn Kinnear

Director/Principal Environmental & Bushfire Consultant, Bio Diverse Solutions

Kathryn has been working in the environmental management and bushfire planning field for 30 years from her experience in Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (formerly CALM) and as a consultant in her WA business Bio Diverse Solutions.

Kathryn delivers training programs for FPAA, Local Government Agencies and the community in bushfire planning and design. She has co-authored an article with Julie de Jong on Project BAL Build – designing dwellings in bushfire-prone areas (Kinnear & de Jong, 2020). Kathryn is passionate about safety and protection of people and infrastructure in creating low fuel/Asset Protection Zone standards while being conscious of environmental values.

Her combined experience and knowledge in the environmental and bushfire planning discipline has formed a mission in her work area of combining bushfire safety and sound environmental management practic es. Her role has led to state based and national advice on bushfire and environmental issues to protect life, property and biodiversity. In 2018 Kathryn was the recipient of the FPAA Ron Coffey Award for Excellence in Bushfire Protection and in 2023 was the winner of the FPAA AV Viscogliosi Service Award to the Fire Protection Industry.

FPA Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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