FIRE 100 Introduction to Wildland Fire

This course will explore the sociocultural, political, economic, and ecological aspects of forest fires. Fire’s relationship to the development of human cultures and civilizations will be reviewed as well as the more recent history of fire management policies in the U.S. Basics of fire science, fire ecology, and fire management will be covered particularly as it relates to the impacts of fire suppression on northwest forests. Course concepts will be solutions focused on societal change to mitigate wildfire disasters.

Credits

4

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define and discuss basic terminology and concepts related to wildland fire behavior: fire ecology, fire prevention, fire cessation and suppression, fire use, and fuels management
2. Define and diagram the fire combustion and fire environment triangles
3. Describe common measurements and classification systems used for fire and fuel
4. Evaluate the history and evolution of fire policies in the U.S.
5. Identify current and future fire management issues and challenges
6. Examine the role of fire in the biophysical and cultural human evolution including the development of horticulturism, agriculturalism, and industrialism
7. Evaluate the legacy and future potential of Indigenous cultural burning and describe socioecological approaches to fire management