Capturing community experiences in the 2015 Sampson Flat fire: Report for the South Australia Country Fire Service

The Sampson Flat fire in January 2015 was the most destructive fire in the Adelaide Hills for more than 30 years, burning 12,569 hectares of public and private lands with losses including 24 homes, 146 other structures, 5 businesses and much livestock and fencing. Following this fire, the CFS commissioned CQUniversity through the BNH CRC to undertake research on the community’s bushfire experience focusing on bushfire safety, the CFS Community Fire Safe program and information and warnings. The research used both quantitative data from online and CATI telephone surveys, and qualitative data from face-to-face or telephone interviews. Participants from fire affected and fire threatened areas were recruited by the CFS through their electronic and community networks.