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Hot topic : Bushfire arson

Report all fires: dial 000

Report arsonists: call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000

Australians are well aware of the potentially devastating impact of bushfires in the summer months. Unfortunately, more than half of all bushfires are deliberately lit, making bushfire arson a crime of concern to all Australians. The AIC research project, Bushfire arson in Australia, conducted in cooperation with the ACT Department of Justice and Comunity Safety as part of the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, conducts research into and reports on, all aspects of bushfire arson. Who lights fires, why they do it and what authorities can do about it are the key research questions.

A concise, topical fact sheet, the BushFIRE arson bulletin is published monthly and covers a range of topics.

Cause of investigated bushfires in New South Wales 2001-02 to 2003-04

Source: Australian Institute of Criminology. NSW RFS investigations data [computer file]

Key information from the AIC website

Australian bushfire services

A variety of services and agencies provide bushfire services across the Australian states and territories. All are members of The Australasian Fire Authorities Council, the national body representing urban, rural and land management agencies within Australia and New Zealand with responsibility for the protection of life and property from fire and other emergencies.

See the full list of state and territory bushfire service providers

Bushfire research centres

There are four Cooperative Research Centres with specific programs and projects directed towards aspects of bushfire research:

Further information