Rural Fire Research

Forests, rural landscapes and local communities are increasingly at risk from wildfires.

Scion’s Rural Fire Research Group is New Zealand's only provider of specialist fire research expertise in rural and forest landscapes, developing the science and technology needed to protect life and property, and manage fire in the landscape.

Understanding how fires are likely to behave in different weather conditions, terrain and fuel types, and the factors affecting public and firefighter safety is essential to fire management and prevention.

Over the past 17 years Scion has developed a range of tools and guidelines now widely used by fire managers in making effective decisions regarding firefighter and community safety.

We also work closely with bushfire researchers at CSIRO in Australia to provide world-class support for fire management agencies.

Download the Rural Fire Research brochure [688 Kb PDF]