Wind impacts on fire spread and structural failure in a complex terrain

Bushfires are a frequent and inevitable aspect of the Australian landscape whose pattern of occurrence is strongly associated with adverse weather conditions. Most bushfires are dealt with and controlled by the various fire services at their early stages of development. Severe fire events that can cause major losses to life, property and the environment are less common, but occur with some regularity. They are erratic in nature and of high intensity, making control difficult. Construction practice, as applied through the Building Code of Australia, has provided some opportunities for improved building resilience in the face of bushfire attack, however, wind loading does not form part of this assessment process.