Understanding and Preventing Bushfire-Setting: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

Deliberate fire-setting costs the community millions of dollars each year and comes at a great human cost. However, little is known about who commits arson and why or how fire-setting can be prevented and treated. This article provides a brief overview of the international literature on the rates, predictors, and prevention and treatment of fire-setting with a view to understanding the phenomenon in the Australian context. While much of the existing literature focuses on structural arson, current knowledge on bushfire-setting will also be explored, with some attention being paid to the issue of fire-fighter arson. This review highlights the current gaps in knowledge and shows that relatively little reliable information is available to guide law enforcement and mental health practitioners in their endeavours to reduce and treat the occurrence of fire-setting.

Keywords:

• arson
• fire-setting
• prevention
• recidivism
• treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James R. P. Ogloff

Authors' notes: Portions of the material presented in this article were provided to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission in evidence presented by Professor Ogloff.