Bushfire season is fast approaching. A new satellite tool can help communities better prepare
The tool can help communities better understand their local conditions and prepare for bushfires early.
Australia's bushfire season is arriving earlier each year, prompting authorities to seek better ways to prepare communities. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council released its seasonal outlook in August, highlighting areas expected to face higher fire risk during spring. However, a new satellite tool developed by Geosciences Australia offers a more precise method for monitoring conditions as the season progresses.
By analyzing vegetation moisture data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites, the tool provides up-to-date maps showing how fuel moisture varies across the country, with updates every five days and data dating back to 2015. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), while the traditional outlook classifies the region as average risk for fire, the detailed satellite analysis reveals significant variations in moisture levels.
While about half of the territory is at or near normal moisture levels, the rest of the ACT—especially southern areas—exhibits drier or drier-than-average conditions. Compared to recent years, 2026 shows mixed conditions, with some parts becoming drier faster than in previous years. This information can help authorities better target their monitoring and preparedness efforts, particularly in regions where vegetation is drying rapidly.
For instance, prescribed burning, a common strategy for reducing fire risk, can be planned more effectively when high-resolution moisture data indicates suitable moisture levels for controlled burns.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
