NATR 220: Introduction to Wildland Fire Ecology

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Class Program

Natural Resources

Credits

Weekly Contact Hours

Course ID

092849

Meets Degree Requirements For

Restricted Elective

Description

An overview of wildfire with an emphasis on local natural environments. Wildfire is presented in a historical and ecological context, and as physical force and agent for ecological change. Covers land management and social policy issues.

Grading Basis

Graded

Course Learning Outcomes

Apply understanding of the prehistory of fire in Washington to analysis of fire’s natural role in maintaining forests and consequences of interrupted fire patterns.

Identify native vegetation and understand its relationship to wildfire.

Determine local vegetation patterns including climate, topography and disturbances and the effects of fire on the biotic and abiotic components of local ecosystems.

Describe how fire behavior is influenced by fuels, weather and terrain and the interplay of climate change and wildfire frequency.

Articulate wildland fire management and fire suppression techniques.

Recognize issues facing the wildland urban interface and describe the different government agencies and private entities involved with land management, fire protection services and emergency management.

Core Topics

Fire as a physical phenomenon
The historical and natural role of fire
The history of change in fire suppression
Wildfire in the present and the urban interface
Land management & fuels
Fire suppression as industry