Maximum Fuel Load (MF) are a type of Statewide modelling project. They assess bush fire risk across the state under a maximum fuels scenario to help you understand the risk in situations where fire may be excluded or treatments are unable to be implemented. MF projects show risk under worse-case fuel accumulation.
The Maximum Fuel Load project method removes fire history, both wildfire and hazard reduction, triggering Phoenix RapidFire to adjust all vegetation types' fuel accumulation curves to their maximum. No fuel management treatments are included in this scenario.
The MF project may be used to consider the effects of future residential development by using a 'one house per grid square' method to replicate this risk in a quantifiable model. This method works by identifying any grid square that can support future housing development and modifying residential data to mimic the risk as if a single dwelling were in each of the squares identified. This method has the exception of land managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation and Department of Defence are considered unavailable for future housing development.
Scenarios
There is one type of modelling scenario in a Maximum Fuel Load modelling project:
Modelled Scenario (code = MS) The Modelled Scenario assesses the fire risk starting on January 1st for the following year, without treatments
Runs
Maximum Fuel Load projects have both Fire Behaviour runs and Impact Analysis runs.
Inputs and configurations
The RMP automatically creates the first Modelled Scenario run using default inputs and configurations, except for Fire History and Suppression. Both have been deactivated to ensure the outputs deliver the intent of the project.
One house per gird
Maximum Fuel Load projects have an additional Impact Analysis input called Bldg_OneHousePerGrid. This input can help you and other critical stakeholders understand the potential risks of constructing new homes in areas with varying vulnerability to bush fire.
Weather Regions
Statewide projects use Weather Regions. These are polygons that divide the state into sections to represent weather across an area for risk modelling. They may not align with existing NSW weather boundaries. Each Weather Region has its own Fire Danger Rating (FDR) values and weather streams. RMP admin users can update Weather Regions in the default settings.
Outputs
Maximum Fuel Load projects have similar outputs as other modelling projects. For a complete list, see List of modelling outputs.
Running and managing your project
Different project types have shared tasks and features. For information on how to run and manage your project, see Common tasks and features.