207-307 Fire Ecology and Management

On completing this subject, students should be competent in:

• basic fire-weather forecasting;

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

• understanding the principles of fire protection;

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

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

• having a knowledge of fire law.

The 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.

A three-hour written examination (60%) and practical assignments equivalent to about 2000 words totalling 40%.