I've just read an interesting opinion piece about our understanding, or more correctly lack of understanding, of the effects of fire and floods. The author is a prof here who specialises in fluvial geomorphology, mostly of desert rivers (eg Cooper Creek and Lake Eyre), and you will see that he is pushing a barrow. However I feel that his points are valid and that our understanding of, let alone preparation for, our variable climate is hopelessly inadequate.
http://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW094233.html