Built to Burn: The Technology Fire Crews are Using to Fight Nature’s Raging Inferno

In fact, one expert predicts it will only get worse.

As temperatures soar, an army of firefighters twice the size of the military are ready to wage war with nature’s deadly fury — bushfire.

But firefighting has been revolutionised with an array of technology.

According to former firefighter and NSW Rural Fire Service expert Anthony Ferguson, every season has the potential to go from bad to worse.

However, he said the one big advantage crews have on their side is state-of-the-art technology, including drones which can go where they can’t, helping to pinpoint and map fires.

Supt Ferguson, who is in charge of aviation, coordination and planning, said crews were better equipped than ever but fires were unpredictable and could spread out of control fast.

Just how terrifying the reality of fast-moving blazes are is made clear in Bushfires — Inside The Inferno which premieres on SBS tonight.

The two-part documentary explores the deadly natural enemy that affects us all, and how science is helping to beat Mother Nature at her own game.

The documentary takes cameras into the terrifying heart of the fire to capture spectacular never-before-seen footage including flames engulfing a fire truck, a waterbombing helicopter in action, and a firefighter’s point-of-view through helmet cam as he scrambles to evacuate residents with flames on their doorstep.

According to Supt Ferguson, this is the reality fire crews face.

“It’s a pretty accurate situation,” Supt Ferguson told news.com.au, adding it’s 90 per cent skill and training and 10 per cent madness.

“It paints a real picture of the reality fire crews face.”

Supt Ferguson said technology had the advantage of helping crews by giving them real-time data and systems to better track and fight fires.

He said while it was impossible to predict exactly how severe this season would be, fires could spread out of control faster than crews could expect.

But at least new technology meant they were better able to fight and monitor them, particularly with thermal imaging and satellite technology.

Heatwave expert Sarah Perkins warns last season was severe and “like a window to the future”.

“This isn’t the typical summer we are going to see in 2030. It’s going to get worse,” she said.

Bushfires — Inside the Inferno is the most comprehensive examination ever attempted of the science of Australian blazes.

The documentary investigates mega fires from all angles, and delves into the work of meteorologists studying Australia’s weather patterns as well as the scientists on the cutting-edge of sophisticated fire fighting technology.

It also includes first-hand accounts of rangers, firefighters and survivors from some of the nation’s most devastating blazes including Ash Wednesday in 1983, the Blue Mountains last year, Victoria’s Black Saturday disaster in 2009 and the Canberra fires of 2003.

Tonight’s episode focuses on the science of bushfires, and why Australia’s blazes are so hard to contain.

Next week’s takes us straight to the frontline and examines the technology crews are using to battle Mother Nature, including using drones which over a fire at night providing real time data on the movement of a blaze.

Bushfires — Inside The Inferno premieres tonight and 12 November, 8.30pm on SBS ONE.