LINKS TO ON-GOING FIRE RELATED RESEARCH & COURSES AT U.C. BERKELEY

RESEARCH

• Scott Stephens Lab Web-site:    Describes current research in progress in the lab of Scott Stephens at U.C. Berkeley

• University of California Forest Products Lab Web-site:    Describes on-going research on fire issues pertaining to building materials, the urban wildland interface ("UWI"), and links to the Fire Workgroup

• Center for the Assessment of and Monitoring of Forest and Environmental Resources Web-site:    Air Resources Board and NASA research projects involving Wildland Fire Emissions, Agricultural Burning Emissions, Residential Wood Burning Emissions, and the Mapping of North American Fires from 1985-2000.

• Wildland Fire Research Group Web-site:    Web-site for the Wildland Fire Research Group- an organization of graduate students, researchers, and faculty focused on wildland fire research.

• Fire Researchers on the U.C. Berkeley Campus

• Tom Bruns Lab Web-site: Includes a visual tour the Professor Tom Brun's  on-going research in the Point Reyes Vision Fire (1995) Area. 

• East Bay Hills Fire Hazzard Model: Project Web-site.

COURSES

Fire Science / ESPM 181

Scott Stephens

3.0 Units

Spring Semester

The historic, current, and future role of wildland fire is a major management and political issue. Tremendous resources and sometimes life are lost each year to wildfire. Concerns over issues such as forest health and sustainability have also highlighted the importance of understanding the role of fire in ecosystems. To understand the interaction of fire and ecosystems the following topics will be covered in this course: fire ecology including the effects of fire on plants and soils, fire history and dendrochronology, wildland fuels, fire behavior, fire behavior modeling, fire management, prescribed fire, and fire problems in the urban/wildland intermix. The class may participate in a spring prescribed fire at the end of the class, weather permitting.

COURSE WEBSITE  - Click here to get updated class info, download readings, course syllabus, and more...

Current Research in Wildland Fire Science / ESPM 298

(Formerly Wildand Fire Seminar)

Scott Stephens and the Wildland Fire Research Group

2.0 Units

Fall Semester (odd years)

The goal of the this lecture and discussion series is to bring distinguished members of the fire science community from across the country to UC Berkeley, in order to promote discussion and awareness about the most recent research, policy, and management in the field. Weekly readings and distinguished guest lectures followed by discussion. Faculty and persons outside of UC Berkeley are also encouraged to attend the seminar.

COURSE WEBSITE

Fire Ecology Seminar / ESPM 265

Scott Stephens

2.0 Units

Fall Semester (even years)

This graduate seminar focuses on fire's role as an ecological factor in historic, prehistoric, and current contexts in forest and rangeland systems.  Weekly readings.  Student led group discussions.  Possible observation of / participation in prescribed burns, weather and resources permitting.

Fire, Insects, and Diseases in Wildland Ecosystems / ESPM 134

Tom Bruns, Don Dahlsten, Scott Stephens

3.0 Units

Spring Semester

In this course we will provide insights into the importance of fire, insects and diseases through lectures, discussion sessions, and field trips. In addition, we will discuss how humans are affecting wildland ecosystems through both direct (forest management) and indirect (travel, air pollution, commerce, etc.) actions that change the roles of these agents.

COURSE WEBSITE