Introduction to Wildland Fire

Introduction to Wildland Fire provides students with a broad, balanced understanding of fire as a biophysical process. We explore fire from many perspectives, including physics, ecology, biogeography, management, policy, and economics. The course strives to make our study of fire interesting and relevant in the contemporary world by examining how such factors as climate change, invasive species, and land use influence how fire interacts with the landscape, and how human activities affect fire as an Earth system process. We also examine a range of fire management strategies including fire suppression, prescribed fire, wildland fire use, and landscape restoration ecology. The course will provide a global perspective on fire, with primary emphasis on ecosystems of western North America.

Fire is an increasingly important focus in the ecology and management of most temperate ecosystems. RNR355 addresses topics of interest to students studying the ecology and management of wildlife, range ecosystems, fisheries, and forests, as well as in landscape ecology, conservation and restoration biology.

To obtain the maximum benefit from the course, and to contribute to group discussions, students should have completed at least two semesters of introductory biology. A course in ecology and/or natural resource management is recommended but not required. Students with questions about their level of preparation are encouraged to contact the instructor prior to registration.