The Fire Ignition, Suppression, and Impact Indices (FISI) represent an important step in the development of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). They build on ongoing scientific advancements to enhance flexibility, incorporate newer data sources, and better characterise a broader range of situations. Moving forward, these elements will continue to be delivered as a suite of integrated modules within the system. 

The FISI project team have conducted qualitative and quantitative research which includes face to face workshops with over 250 agencies and industry stakeholders across Australia in early 2025. This engagement identified the benefits and gaps of the AFDRS. While it is not possible for the FISI project to address every gap, it will focus on feasible and achievable improvements that strengthen the core system.

Stakeholders said they need more and better data to make fire-related decisions. Preferred products included flammability, suppression, and impact indices and specific data layers such as near real-time lightning strikes, response times, valued asset locations. Additional recommendations such as community-agency collaboration, training and education were also identified as high priority. 

From the workshops, the three highest priority products were identified for ignition, suppression and impact. These priority products are illustrated below. 

The FISI project will be running additional workshops with subject matter experts (SME) to further refine the findings from initial stakeholder feedback. The SME workshops will enable the project team to enhance indices ahead of the build phase in the second half of 2025.  

For more information on FISI or AFDRS, please contact the AFDRS Project Management Office afdrs@afac.com.au.