Sponsors

Jason Sharples, University of New South Wales, Australia

 

Short biography: Jason is a mathematical scientist with a research focus on dynamic wildfire propagation and extreme fire development. His work has advanced understanding of dynamic fire processes, pyrogenic convection, and dangerous phenomena such as fire‑generated thunderstorms. He combines theoretical analysis, field observations, and high‑resolution modelling to uncover the multi‑scale processes that drive catastrophic fire events. He regularly advises government agencies and emergency services on fire prediction and risk management, contributing to improved operational decision‑making and public safety. His research helps shape national and international approaches to understanding and managing extreme fire behaviour in a changing climate.

 

Short Summary: Large-scale fire events exhibit complex dynamics that challenge conventional fire behaviour and propagation models. This talk will explore recent advances in understanding the multi‑scale processes that drive extreme and unpredictable fire behaviour, including dynamic fire propagation, pyrogenic convection, and fire–atmosphere interactions. Drawing on case studies of significant fire events (e.g., Australian ‘Black Summer’), the presentation will highlight how these mechanisms contribute to phenomena such as vorticity-driven lateral spread, fire-generated thunderstorms, and rapid transitions to extreme fire states. The talk will also discuss implications for fire prediction, emergency management, and future research directions aimed at improving our capacity to anticipate and respond to large-scale fire behaviour in an era of increasing wildfire risk.