It said the new nationally consistent rating system better described the overall fire danger risk at a finer geographic scale and improved the reliability of fire danger forecasts by using the latest scientific understanding about weather, fuel and how fire behaviour behaved in different types of vegetation.
The BOM developed new fire behaviour models and a new fire danger calculator that now includes eight major fuel types in the models — forest, grassland, grassy woodland; spinifex, shrubland, Mallee-heath, buttongrass and pine.
BOM spokesperson Nina Bowbridge said under the new system, the bureau would provide a whole new suite of products and tools for fire agencies and the community to inform better decision making, including multi-week and seasonal forecast weather outlook service.
"These changes will drive improvement in our current fire weather services, including our Incident Weather Forecasts and warnings, that inform crucial decision making by emergency service agencies and the wider community during bushfire events,” Nina said.
The bureau has been working closely with its emergency service partners, the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services and the Federal Government to develop the AFDRS, including completing a successful trial service in late 2021, completing internal training and developing the products in preparation for the September 2022 launch.
"Communities can keep up-to-date with fire weather warnings on the bureau's website and through their relevant state or territory emergency service website. The information will soon also be available on the BOM Weather app, under the forecast description in both text and as a visual marker,” Nina said.
Fire danger rating forecasts are found on the bureau’s website.
