Best Practice Approach to Managing Fire Risk

As climate change continues to reshape environmental conditions, effective fire management is becoming increasingly important for natural capital assets. New Forests considers fire risk throughout the investment lifecycle, combining risk assessment, preventive land management, technology, infrastructure, rapid response capability and landscape-level collaboration.

New Forests’ approach to managing fire risk begins with understanding potential fire behaviour and designing resilient landscapes. Geospatial tools, climate information and assessments of available firefighting resources help inform investment and management planning.

Prevention measures include annually updated fire risk management plans, crew training, equipment readiness, firebreak maintenance, vegetation management, under-canopy burning and other fuel-management activities.

Technology supports early detection and situational awareness. Across different regions, New Forests and its portfolio companies use combinations of AI-assisted cameras, satellite detection, aerial surveillance and lightning-tracking tools.

Fire preparedness is also supported through investment in water infrastructure, access tracks, firefighting equipment, trained crews and aerial response capability. Collaboration with neighbouring landowners, fire authorities, local communities and industry partners helps strengthen preparedness across entire landscapes.

Download the full paper to learn more about New Forests’ approach to assessing, preventing and responding to wildfire risk.