The CSIRO has opened a new bushfire research facility that will simulate extreme fire events like the black summer bushfires, helping improve understanding of how bushfires behave, what conditions make them worse, and the best ways to respond.

CSIRO fire behaviour expert Dr Andrew Sullivan said bushfire tornadoes and bushfire generated thunderstorm such those experienced during the Black Summer bushfires were increasing in frequency and severity.

"The fires themselves are becoming much more intense and impacting people in different ways," he said.