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An Australian pyro-tornadogenesis event

Natural Hazards volume 65, pages 1801–1811 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

On 18 January 2003, fires had a devastating impact on Australia’s capital, Canberra. A series of reviews and scientific studies have examined the events of that day and indicate that the worst impacts were due to a series of violent pyro-convective events and resultant pyro-cumulonmibi. These coupled fire–atmosphere events are much more energetic than normal fires. In one instance, an intense pyro-convective cell developed a tornado. We demonstrate that this was indeed a tornado, the first confirmed pyro-tornadogenesis in Australia, and not a fire whirl. Here, we discuss aspects of the formation, evolution and decay of the tornado, which was estimated to have been of at least F2 intensity, highlighting a process that can significantly increase the damage of a wildfire event.

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Notes

  1. See page 2–3 of the transcript, Doogan 2006.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Air Target Services Pty Ltd, Nowra, New South Wales; Clem Davis, Bureau of Meteorology (retired); Peter Deck of the ACT Ambulance Service; Christine Goonrey; NSW Rural Fire Service; Jim Venn; Tom Bates. The authors also acknowledge the two anonymous reviewers whose comments prompted significant improvements to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency, 9 Amberley Avenue, Majura, ACT, 2600, Australia

    Richard H. D. McRae & Alan Walker

  2. Applied and Industrial Mathematics Research Group, School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia

    Jason J. Sharples

  3. Australian Capital Territory Parks and Conservation Service, Stromlo, ACT, 2611, Australia

    Stephen R. Wilkes

Authors
  1. Richard H. D. McRae
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  2. Jason J. Sharples
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  3. Stephen R. Wilkes
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  4. Alan Walker
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Correspondence to Richard H. D. McRae.

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McRae, R.H.D., Sharples, J.J., Wilkes, S.R. et al. An Australian pyro-tornadogenesis event. Nat Hazards 65, 1801–1811 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0443-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0443-7

Keywords

  • Pyro-tornadogenesis
  • Pyro-cumulonimbus
  • Tornado
  • Wildfire