Forest Fire Control and Use

Catalog description

This course will provide a background in the science, ecology, and application of fire. Students will gain an understanding of how fire is influenced by the physical environment and the fuels present. Concepts and application of fire behavior modeling will be presented for planning wildfire control and prescribed burning. The unique relationship between humans and fire and how that has changed over time will be discussed. We will survey fire effects on key ecosystem attributes such as vegetation, wildlife habitat/populations, forest products, biodiversity and conservation, and soil productivity. The technical aspects of prescribed burning planning and implementation will be discussed and demonstrated. We will overview how wildfire and prescribed fire management varies among state and federal natural resource agencies. Graded on A-F basis only. Credit Hour s : 3