With bushfire risks rising, the burning question on many minds is how to innovate to safeguard homes and communities.

As the city of Los Angeles, and the world, watch tens of thousands of acres turn to ash in the wake of raging fires decimating the precious California landscape – and bushfires blaze across western Victoria, here in Australia –  the question of how to build a fire-resistant future has never been more relevant. In just a single month, 2025 has become the second most destructive fire year in California’s history, with more than 16,000 homes and other structures damaged or destroyed by the two largest fires in the Los Angeles area. Closer to home, the 2025 Australian bushfire season underscores the escalating challenges posed by climate change, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive fire management strategies.

As Australia faces increasingly severe bushfire seasons, architects, designers and engineers are rethinking how buildings can withstand fire. UNSW’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering professor Guan Yeoh says one in five new homes approved in Victoria last year were built in bushfire-prone areas, highlighting the urgent need for innovation in fire protection. While traditional methods like firebreaks and heat-resistant materials remain important, emerging technologies are offering new layers of defence.

Crisis begets innovation

One such innovation developed by researchers at UNSW is a fire-retardant paint. Led by Yeoh, the team has designed a coating that provides an extra layer of protection against extreme heat and flames. Unlike conventional fireproofing solutions, this paint is easy to apply and has been rigorously tested in Australia and internationally. The fact that it is now being used globally is a testament to its effectiveness in reducing fire damage.

“We had dedicated equipment to push the intensity of the heat to match what would be experienced in a bushfire situation,” Yeoh says. “We tested the paint on many materials, such as aluminium and other types of metal, not just wood, and found that it performed extremely well.”

Flame Security International managing director and co-founder Justin Rooney, whose team worked on the development of the product, says many existing fire retardants are toxic, causing permanent damage to the planet. “We wanted to have a mantra of ‘completely clean, non-toxic, environmentally friendly solutions’ that are also super effective and affordable for the community.” 

Beyond protecting individual homes, smart urban planning also plays a crucial role. Incorporating fire-resistant materials, strategic landscaping and buffer zones can significantly enhance community resilience. With bushfires now a regular part of Australian summers, experts argue that fire-safe design should no longer be an afterthought but an integral part of new developments.

“There’s a phenomenon called the WUI in the US, which is the ‘wildland urban interface’,” Rooney explains. “It shows how cities are spreading more and more into that bushland environment, which means communities all around the world are now faced with increased fire risks.” 

Adapting to new fire threats in a changing world

While bushfires pose the most obvious fire threat to Australian homes, new energy technologies are introducing additional risks in urban environments. The increased use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and home energy storage systems, for example, has raised concerns about fire safety. As cities transition to renewable energy solutions, fire-resistant materials and coatings like fire-retardant paint could become essential in minimising fire hazards.

According to Rooney, communities must adapt to this evolving landscape by embracing smarter fire-protection strategies. “We need to be smarter in how we plan and find ways to live with fire risks,” he says. “With bushfires now an unavoidable part of Australian summers, it’s so important to help communities here and around the world take simple, practical steps to protect what matters most.”

Strengthening fire resilience through community action

While technological advancements play a key role in fire protection, community preparedness and education remain just as vital. Homeowners, builders and policymakers must work together to ensure that fire resilience is prioritised in new developments.

Adopting fire-resistant materials, maintaining clear emergency escape routes and following bushfire safety guidelines can significantly reduce risk. Rooney says in an emergency you need to pack up quickly and get out.

“Water is quite ineffective in those extreme conditions because it evaporates quickly and the pumps fail,” he says. “Most of the deaths in bushfires are from people sticking around and trying to fight it themselves. We’re all about preparing, and once you get that warning and you’ve got the products designed to literally survive hellish conditions, you can come back and at least your property is hopefully still standing.”

Governments and industry bodies also have a role to play by updating building codes to reflect the latest fire-protection research and supporting homeowners in implementing fire-resistant solutions.

As Australia endures another fire season, the conversation around fire-resilient architecture and urban design is more relevant than ever. By combining innovative technologies like fire-retardant paint with smarter planning and community awareness, we can move towards a future where homes and businesses are better equipped to withstand fire threats.

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