211-405 Fire Ecology and Management

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Subject Description

On completing this subject, students should:

• be competent in basic fire-weather forecasting;

• understand the principles of fire behaviour and the bases of fire danger ratings;

• understand the principles of fire protection;

• have skills in planning and selecting appropriate fire-protection strategies;

• understand the role and impact of fire in forest ecosystems;

• and have a knowledge of fire law.

Topics to be covered will include:

• fire history in Australia;

• combustion theory;

• forest fire behaviour prediction;

• fuel hazard assessment;

• fire weather observation and forecasting;

• fire danger rating systems;

• ecological effects of fire in forests;

• prescribed burning techniques;

• fire planning;

• fire suppression strategies and techniques;

• and fire law and fire management principles.

Assessment

A three-hour written examination (50%) and practical assignments equivalent to about 2000 words and worth up to 20% each.