What is fire ecology?
Fire is one of the major shaping influences of global ecosystems, and most ecosystems have a very interesting history with fire, one that has changed a great deal in the modern era.
Fire ecology is the study of fires and fire regimes in global forest, prairie, shrubland, chaparral, meadow, and savannah ecosystems. Fire ecologists study how changes in regime factors, like the frequency, severity, and extent of fires can provide favorable or damaging influences on ecosystems. They also study the interactions between fires and other ecological patterns and processes; how they work together or in conflict, to vary outcomes on the land.
Many global ecosystems have evolved with fire as an essential process that creates and renews habitats. In fire prone ecosystems, native plants and animals have evolved an essential relationship with fire influencing not only habitat conditions but key aspects of their life history. Fire ecology practitioners work to understand these relations and, often by means of intentional burning practices and other methods, restore these intimate relationships with fire.
Introduction to Fire ecology
World of Wildland Fire Videos: 10 videos that provide an overview of fire ecology and managment topics.
Fire Ecology: A chapter by AFE Board Member Dr. Robert Keane in the book, Encyclopedia of Wildfires and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires.
Intro to Fire Ecology Across the US: An introductory chapter in the 2021 book, Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems. Managing Forest. Several chapters of this book are available online through the USFS TreeSearch and focus on fire ecology in specific regions of the US.
Fire Ecology 2.0: A plenary talk at the 2017 Fire Congres by Dr. Leda Kobziar that focuses on the development and evolution of the fire ecology field.
fire ecology research
Fire Ecology Journal: Peer-reviewed scientific articles that are available for free online.
Fire Lab Seminar Series, USFS Missoula Fire Science Lab: Seminars presented by Fire Lab employees and other researchers from throughout the world that cover current wildland fire research and management topics. Several recorded seminars are available.
Joint Fire Science Program: Reports and findings from JFSP-funded research projects are available on their website. The JSFP Fire Science Exchange Network is an amazing resource for location specific publications, workshops, and field tours.
Program and Degrees
Many colleges and universities offer wildland fire courses. AFE has an academic certification program to recognize programs which prepare future fire ecology and management professionals. Click here for a list of certified programs.
Curriculum Resources for K-12 Education
FireWorks: Interactive, hands-on materials to study wildland fire. FireWorks has specialized curricula for several regions of the U.S. as well as a generic curricula that can be adapted to other areas.
Fire Ecology Learning Lab: Curriculum developed by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium to inspire our future natural resource stewards and community leaders, with materials for both teachers and non-formal educators.
Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education: Standards-aligned, trauma-informed curriculum for grades K-12 that uses fire as a lens for STEAM learning, land management literacy, and entry into fire-related career pathways. Available in English and Spanish, for online and classroom learning.
