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Mr Rick McRae

Mr Rick McRae

Adjunct Professor
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ
School of Science

I trained as an ecologist at the University of Sydney. I am recently retired from a career in bushfires and emergency management spanning over three decades, based in Canberra. I worked as a fire management planner and as an arson inverstigator. I worked on a wide range of natural hazard risk assessments, including wildfire, flood, severe storms, landslides, raised dust and heatwaves. I have served on or chaired a number of national emergency management working groups, spanning spatial data, bushfire seasonal outlooks, emergency response, and training.

I am a visiting fellow at UNSW. I have specialised in fire behaviour, and served in terchnical specilaist roles on major fires in the ACT, Tasmania, and Canada. After the 2003 Canberra fires I studied fire thunderstorms (pyroCbs) and joined an international science collaboration studying them. I have worked on predictive tools and research dissemination. I have worked on key pyroCb case studies, and, working with Jason Sharples’ Bushfire Research Group in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, identified vorticity-driven lateral spread and confirmed pyro-tornadogenesis. I maintain the Australian pyroCb register. My current focus is studying the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.

I work with the bushfire sector on research dissemination. To do this, I have presented numerous talks, workshops and research posters at annual conferences.
Mobile
0407 896 990
E-mail
r.mcrae@adfa.edu.au
  • Book Chapters | 2022
    Sharples JJ; Hilton JE; Badlan RL; Thomas CM; McRae RHD, 2022, 'Fire Line Geometry and Pyroconvective Dynamics', in Wildland Fire Dynamics: Fire Effects and Behavior from a Fluid Dynamics Perspective, pp. 77 - 128,
    Book Chapters | 2009
    McRae R, 2009, 'Airborne fire intelligence', in Innovations in Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Springer Science & Business Media, pp. 239 - 253,
  • Journal articles | 2021
    Badlan RL; Sharples JJ; Evans JP; McRae RHD, 2021, 'Factors influencing the development of violent pyroconvection. Part I: Fire size and stability', International Journal of Wildland Fire, 30, pp. 484 - 497,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Badlan RL; Sharples JJ; Evans JP; McRae RHD, 2021, 'Factors influencing the development of violent pyroconvection. Part II: Fire geometry and intensity', International Journal of Wildland Fire, 30, pp. 498 - 512,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Peterson DA; Fromm MD; McRae RHD; Campbell JR; Hyer EJ; Taha G; Camacho CP; Kablick GP; Schmidt CC; DeLand MT, 2021, 'Australia’s Black Summer pyrocumulonimbus super outbreak reveals potential for increasingly extreme stratospheric smoke events', npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 4,
    Journal articles | 2019
    Di Virgilio G; Evans JP; Blake SAP; Armstrong M; Dowdy AJ; Sharples J; McRae R, 2019, 'Climate Change Increases the Potential for Extreme Wildfires', Geophysical Research Letters, 46, pp. 8517 - 8526,
    Journal articles | 2015
    McRae RHD; Sharples JJ; Fromm M, 2015, 'Linking local wildfire dynamics to pyroCb development', Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 15, pp. 417 - 428,
    Journal articles | 2014
    McRae R; Sharples J, 2014, 'Forecasting conditions conducive to blow-up fire events', CAWCR Research Letters, 11, pp. 14 - 19
    Journal articles | 2013
    McRae R; Sharples JJ; Wilkes S; Walker A, 2013, 'An Australian pyro-tornadogenesis event', Natural Hazards, 65, pp. 1801 - 1811,
    Journal articles | 2012
    Fromm M; McRae R; Sharples JJ; Kablick G, 2012, 'Pyrocumulonimbus Pair in Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks, 22 November 2006', Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal, 62, pp. 117 - 126,
    Journal articles | 2012
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Wilkes S, 2012, 'Wind-terrain effects on the propagation of wildfires in rugged terrain: fire channelling', International Journal of Wildland Fire, 21, pp. 282 - 296,
    Journal articles | 2012
    Sharples JJ; Mills GA; McRae RHD, 2012, 'Extreme drying events in the Australian high-country and their implications for bushfire risk management', Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal, 62, pp. 157 - 169,
    Journal articles | 2011
    McRae R; Sharples J, 2011, 'A conceptual framework for assessing the risk posed by extreme bushfires', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, 26, pp. 49 - 55,
    Journal articles | 2011
    McRae R; Sharples JJ, 2011, 'A conceptual framework for assessing the risk posed by extreme bushfires', Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 26, pp. 47 - 53
    Journal articles | 2011
    Sharples JJ; McRae R, 2011, 'Evaluation of a very simple model for predicting the moisture content of eucalypt litter', International Journal of Wildland Fire, 20, pp. 1000 - 1005,
    Journal articles | 2010
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Weber RO, 2010, 'Wind characteristics over complex terrain with implications for bushfire risk management', Environmental Modelling and Software, 25, pp. 1099 - 1120,
    Journal articles | 2010
    Sharples JJ; Mills G; McRae R; Weber RO, 2010, 'Foehn-like winds and elevated fire danger conditions in southeastern Australia', Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 49, pp. 1067 - 1095,
    Journal articles | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Weber RO; Gill AM, 2009, 'A simple index for assessing fire danger rating', Environmental Modelling and Software, 24, pp. 764 - 774,
    Journal articles | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Weber RO; Gill AM, 2009, 'A simple index for assessing fuel moisture content', Environmental Modelling and Software, 24, pp. 637 - 646
    Journal articles | 2001
    McRae R, 2001, 'Community mapping - an aid to emergency management.', The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 15, pp. 22 - 27
    Journal articles | 1995
    McRae R, 1995, 'Analysis of rural ignition patterns on Canberra's urban/rural interface', CALM Science, Supplementary 4
    Journal articles | 1992
    McRae RHD, 1992, 'Prediction of Areas Prone to Lightning Ignition', International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2, pp. 123 - 123,
  • Conference Presentations | 2022
    McRae R, 2022, 'A global problem, needing global change', presented at International Association of Wildland Fire 2022 Fire and Climate Conference, Pasadena
    Conference Presentations | 2022
    McRae R, 2022, 'New understandings arising from Australia’s Black Summer', presented at International Association of Wildland Fire 2022 Wildland Fire Conference, Edmonton
    Conference Presentations | 2022
    McRae R, 2022, 'Predicting blow-up fire events: lessons from Black Summer', presented at International Association of Wildland Fire 2022 Fire and Climate Conference, Melbourne
    Conference Presentations | 2022
    McRae R, 2022, 'What black Summer told us about C-Haines – new findings.', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Posters | 2022
    Peterson D; Fromm M; Hyers E; McRae R, 2022, 'Pyrocumulonimbus and its Role in the Climate System: What is known and unknown?', Chicago, presented at American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago
    Conference Posters | 2021
    McRae R, 2021, 'Global impacts from bushfires', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference
    Conference Posters | 2021
    McRae R, 2021, 'Predicting blow-up fire events – developing the BUFO2 model', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference
    Conference Papers | 2021
    McRae RHD, 2021, 'Modelling terrain for wildfire purposes', in Proceedings of the International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM, pp. 379 - 385
    Conference Papers | 2021
    McRae RHD, 2021, 'Underpinning a new approach to predicting blow-up fire events', in Proceedings of the International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM, pp. 372 - 378
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Badlan RL; Sharples JJ; Evans JP; McRae RHD, 2019, 'Insights into the role of fire geometry and violent pyroconvection', in 23rd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Supporting Evidence-Based Decision Making: The Role of Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM 2019, pp. 726 - 732
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    McRae R, 2019, 'Experiences with the global impacts of climate change', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Melbourne
    Conference Presentations | 2019
    McRae R, 2019, 'Stand recovery dynamics after the 2003 wildfires in the A.C.T.', presented at International Association of Wildland Fire 2019 6th International Fire Behavior and fuels Conference, Sydney
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Badlan RL; Sharples JJ; Evans J; McRae RHD, 2018, 'The role of fire size, geometry, and intensity, in "extreme" plume development', in Viegas DX (ed.), ADVANCES IN FOREST FIRE RESEARCH 2018, UNIV COIMBRA, PORTUGAL, Coimbra, pp. 1212 - 1215, presented at 8th International Conference on Forest Fire Research, PORTUGAL, Coimbra, 09 November 2018 - 16 November 2018,
    Conference Posters | 2018
    McRae R, 2018, '"Struth it's hot": excess surface heating on hot days', Perth, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Perth
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    McRae R, 2018, 'Extreme fires – extreme solutions', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Perth
    Conference Posters | 2018
    McRae R, 2018, 'Photographic chronosequence after a wildfire on Black Mountain', Perth, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Perth
    Conference Posters | 2018
    McRae R, 2018, 'Recovery of forests after the 2003 A.C.T. wildfires - an operational perspective', Perth, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Perth
    Conference Papers | 2018
    McRae RHD; Sharples J; Badlan RL, 2018, 'A model for identifying blow-up fire potential', in Viegas DX (ed.), ADVANCES IN FOREST FIRE RESEARCH 2018, UNIV COIMBRA, PORTUGAL, Coimbra, pp. 17 - 22, presented at 8th International Conference on Forest Fire Research, PORTUGAL, Coimbra, 09 November 2018 - 16 November 2018,
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Ziaeyan Bahri M; Sharples J; Huntley S; McRae RHD, 2018, 'A universal rate of spread index for Australian fuel types', presented at International Conferenceon Forest Fire Research, Portugal
    Conference Posters | 2016
    McRae R; Sharples J, 2016, 'Assessing mitigation of the risk from extreme wildfires using satellite hotspot data', Brisbane, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Brisbane
    Conference Presentations | 2016
    McRae R, 2016, 'A new technique for predicting blow-up fire events.', presented at Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society Confere, Canberra
    Conference Presentations | 2016
    McRae R, 2016, 'Lessons from the operational application of Himawari-8 products.', presented at International Association of Wildland Fire 5th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference, Melbourne
    Conference Posters | 2016
    McRae R, 2016, 'Splitting the indices', Brisbane, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conferencee, Brisbane
    Conference Posters | 2016
    McRae R, 2016, 'Thunderstorm outflow winds.', Brisbane, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Brisbane
    Conference Papers | 2015
    , 2015, 'Modeling Australia’s fire seasonality', in Weber, T., McPhee, M.J. and Anderssen, R.S. (eds) MODSIM2015, 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, presented at 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2015),
    Conference Posters | 2015
    McRae R; Featherston G, 2015, 'A new perspective on Australia's fire seasons', Adealide, presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Adealide
    Conference Posters | 2015
    McRae R; Sharples J; McCoy L, 2015, 'Predicting blow-up fire events.', Adelaide, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Posters | 2015
    McRae R, 2015, 'Himawari 8', Adelaide, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    McRae R, 2015, 'Linking local wildfire dynamics to pyroCb development', presented at American Meteorological Society 11th Symposium on Forest Fire Meteorology, Minneapolis
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    McRae R, 2015, 'Linking local wildfire dynamics to pyroCb development', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Sharples JJ; McRae R, 2015, 'Assessing mitigation of the risk from extreme wildfires using MODIS hotspot data', in 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Gold Coast, Australia, 29 Nov to 4 Dec 2015, Gold Coast, presented at 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Gold Coast, Australia, 29 Nov to 4 Dec 2015, Gold Coast, 29 November 2015 - 04 December 2015
    Preprints | 2014
    McRae RHD; Sharples JJ; Fromm M, 2014, Linking local wildfire dynamics to pyroCb development,
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Sharples JJ; Simpson CC; Evans JP; McRae RHD, 2014, 'Threshold Behaviour in Dynamic Fire Propagation', in Rumsewicz M (ed.), Proceedings of the Research Forum at the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference, Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, Wellington, New Zealand, presented at Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference 2014, Wellington, New Zealand, 02 September 2014 - 02 September 2014,
    Conference Posters | 2013
    McRae R, 2013, 'Dynamic fire propagation and extreme wildfire development', Melbourne, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Melbourne
    Conference Papers | 2013
    McRae RHD; Sharples JJ, 2013, 'A process model for forecasting conditions conducive to blow-up fire events', in Piantadosi J; Anderssen RS; Boland J (eds.), Proceedings The 20th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2013), presented at Adapting to Change: the multiple roles of modelling, 01 December 2013 - 06 December 2013
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Sharples JJ; McRae RHD, 2013, 'A fire spread index for grassland fuels', in Piantadosi J; Anderssen RS; Boland J (eds.), MODSIM2013, 20th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, Adelaide, presented at MODSIM 2013, Adelaide, 01 December 2013 - 06 December 2013
    Conference Papers | 2011
    McRae R; Sharples JJ, 2011, 'Modelling the thermal belt in an Australian bushfire context', in MODSIM 2011 - 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Sustaining Our Future: Understanding and Living with Uncertainty, Modelling and Simulation Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia, pp. 221 - 227, presented at MODSIM 2011 - 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Sustaining Our Future: Understanding and Living with Uncertainty, Perth, WA, 12 December 2011 - 16 December 2011,
    Conference Posters | 2011
    McRae R, 2011, 'Recognising and reacting to the extreme bushfire drivers', Sydney, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Sydney
    Conference Posters | 2011
    McRae R, 2011, 'Violent pyro-convection - a tool for understanding extreme wildfire events', Sydney, presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Sydney
    Conference Presentations | 2011
    Sharples J; McRae R; Weber R, 2011, 'Atypical bushfire spread driven by the interaction of terrain and extreme fire weather.', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Sydney
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Sharples JJ; McRae R, 2011, 'Atypical bushfire spread driven by the interaction of terrain and extreme fire weather', in Proceedings of Bushfire CRC and AFAC 2011 Conference Science Day, Bushfire CRC, Melbourne, pp. 57 - 73, presented at Joint Bushfire CRC and AFAC 2011 Conference, Sydney, 01 September 2011,
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Sharples JJ; Xavier viegas D; McRae R; Raposo J; Farinha H, 2011, 'Lateral bushfire propagation driven by the interaction of wind, terrain and fire', in MODSIM 2011 - 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Sustaining Our Future: Understanding and Living with Uncertainty, Modelling and Simulation Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia, pp. 235 - 241, presented at MODSIM 2011 - 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Sustaining Our Future: Understanding and Living with Uncertainty, Perth, WA, 12 December 2011 - 16 December 2011,
    Conference Papers | 2010
    Sharples JJ; Xavier viegas D; Rossa C; McRae R, 2010, 'Small-scale observations of atypical fire spread caused by the interaction of wind, terrain and fire', in VI International Conference on Forest Fire Research, ADAI/CEIF, Portugal, pp. 363 - 371, presented at 6th International Conference on Forest Fire Research, Coimbra, Portugal, 15 November 2010 - 18 November 2010
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Weber RO; Gill AM, 2009, 'A simple method for assessing fuel moisture content and fire danger rating', in Proceedings of the 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM and IMAC, Australia, presented at 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Cairns, Australia
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae R; Weber RO, 2009, 'An empirical probabilistic study of wind direction over complex terrain', in Proceedings of the 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM and IMAC, Australia, presented at 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Cairns, Australia
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae RHD; Weber RO; Gill AM, 2009, 'A simple method for assessing fuel moisture content and fire danger rating', in 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM 2009 - International Congress on Modelling and Simulation: Interfacing Modelling and Simulation with Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Proceedings, pp. 275 - 281
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; McRae RHD; Weber RO, 2009, 'An empirical probabilistic study of wind direction over complex terrain', in 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM 2009 - International Congress on Modelling and Simulation: Interfacing Modelling and Simulation with Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Proceedings, pp. 4446 - 4452
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; Mills G; McRae R; Weber RO, 2009, 'Fire danger anomalies associated with foehn-like winds in southeastern Australia', in Proceedings of the 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM and IMAC, Australia, presented at 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Cairns, Australia
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Sharples JJ; Mills GA; McRae RHD; Weber RO, 2009, 'Fire danger anomalies associated with foehn-like winds in southeastern Australia', in 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM 2009 - International Congress on Modelling and Simulation: Interfacing Modelling and Simulation with Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Proceedings, pp. 268 - 274
    Conference Presentations | 2008
    McRae R; Sharples J; Weber R, 2008, 'Are big fires inevitable?', presented at Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference, Hobart
    Conference Papers | 2007
    McRae R; Sharples JJ; Weber RO, 2007, 'Are big fires inevitable? Perpectives from the HighFire Risk Project', in Bushfire CRC/AFAC 2007 Conference, Hobart, pp. 1 - 11, presented at Bushfire CRC/AFAC 2007 Conference, Hobart, 19 September 2007 - 21 September 2007
    Conference Papers | 2006
    McRae R; Weber RO; Sharples JJ, 2006, 'Advancing bushfire risk management in the high country', in Proceedings of Bushfire 2006., Brisbane, Australia, presented at 10th Biennial Australasian Bushfire Conference (Bushfire 2006), Brisbane, Australia
    Conference Presentations | 2006
    McRae R, 2006, 'Lessons from the January 2003 fires', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Brisbane
    Conference Papers | 2005
    Dold J; Weber RO; Gill M; McRae R; Cooper N, 2005, 'Unusual Phenomena in an Extreme Bushfire', in 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Combustion, Adelaide, Sth Aust, presented at 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Combustion, Adelaide, Sth Aust, 17 July 2005 - 20 July 2005
    Conference Papers | 2004
    McRae R, 2004, 'Breath of the dragon – observations of the January 2003', in Bushfire 2004 Conference, Adelaide., Adelaide, presented at Bushfire 2004 Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Presentations | 2004
    McRae R, 2004, 'Breath of the dragon', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Adelaide
    Conference Presentations | 2003
    McRae R, 2003, 'Technological advances in understanding wildfire behaviour using geographic information systems', presented at FRFANZ Conference, Auckland
    Conference Presentations | 2001
    McRae R, 2001, 'Isolated pockets of excellence', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Chritshurch
    Conference Presentations | 1999
    McRae R, 1999, 'Sharing spatial data', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Albury
    Conference Presentations | 1997
    McRae R, 1997, 'Considerations on operational wildfires spread modelling', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Darwin
    Conference Presentations | 1997
    McRae R, 1997, 'Linking wind to fire growth modelling for operations', presented at 13th Conference on Fire and Forest Meteorology, Lorne
    Conference Presentations | 1989
    McRae R, 1989, 'Use of digital terrain data for calculating fire rates of spread with the PREPLAN computer system', presented at Australian Bushfire Conference, Canberra
  • Media | 2011
    McRae R, 2011, Learning, Improving, Blaming: Science and Bushfires
    Media | 2008
    McRae R, 2008, Fire risk in the high country

  • Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre's HighFireRisk Project, 2004-2008.

  • GeoInisght program in 2000, a $2 million Technology Diffusion program from Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources to facilitate the uptake of spatial data across Australia's emergency managemenbt sector.

  • Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (2017 British Columbia wildfires)
  • National Emergency Medal (Black  Summer bushfires)
  • ACT Emergency (2003 Bushfires) Medal.
  • National Medal and clasp
  • ACT Emergency Services Agency Long-Service Medal and 2 clasps
  • Finalist, 2013 Eureka Prize.
  • 2020 Canberra Citizen of the Year (member of ACT Emergency Services Agency during Black Summer).

  • Fire thunderstorms, including caser studies and outbreaks.
  • Predicting blow-up fire events
  • Analysing the context fo the Black Summer wildfires in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and the ACT.
  • Terrain analysis for bushfire purposes
  • Remote sensing of wildfires
  • Drought measures for bushfire purposes
  • Regeneration of forest flammability after wildfires
  • Vorticity-driven lateral spread