Fire Ecology & Management

The University of Idaho College of Natural Resources created the nation's first Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Fire Ecology and Management. With a degree from the only program in the nation focusing on wildland fire, you will be positioned as a leader in fuels management, fire prevention, fire suppression, fire management and related fields. You'll benefit from the expertise of faculty in both programs of Forest Resources and Rangeland Ecology and Management, who jointly administer this degree.

As a student of the B.S. Fire Ecology and Management program, you will learn to assess potential fire hazard, understand how and why fires ignite and spread, and develop fuels-management practices to protect people and property. You’ll develop actual proposals for prescribed burns and evaluate the ecological effects of fire and the subsequent potential for invasive species. You’ll also have opportunities to gain valuable experience working as a firefighter or fire manager.

The University of Idaho has been recognized for more than 30 years as a national leader in teaching fire ecology, conducting fire research and educating practicing fire professionals. The B.S. Fire Ecology and Management is an excellent complement to other majors offered by the College of Natural Resources, such as Forest Resources or Rangeland Ecology and Management.

Prepare for Success

If you enjoy nature, and you want to contribute to the future health of our forests by becoming a leader in fire management, then a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Fire Ecology and Management could be for you. To prepare, you should take high school courses that build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Your First Year

During your first year in the B.S. program, you may take:

• Introductory Chemistry
• Introductory English
• Exploring Natural Resources
• Core Discovery I & II
• Introductory Math
• Physics

What You Can Do

As a fire professional, you may become a:

• Fire management officer
• Wildland fire fighter
• Forestry or range technician
• Forest hydrologist
• Natural resources policy specialist
• Wildland fuels specialist
• Landscape and fire ecologist
• Wildland fire extension specialist

You may opt to seek an advanced degree and continue vital research and teaching. Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate have several degree and course options at the College of Natural Resources, including:

• Master of Natural Resources
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

Opportunities

Wildland fire ecology and management is one of the fastest growing fields in natural resources. Graduates will be in demand for leadership positions in federal and state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, consulting and other businesses.

For the past 30 years, the University of Idaho has built partnerships that will help jump-start your career with federal, state, and conservation agencies such as:

• U.S.D.A. Forest Service
• The Nature Conservancy
• Idaho Department of Lands
• U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Indian Affairs

Current Research

Faculty members and graduate students from across the college conduct research in diverse areas such as fire ecology, fuels management, fire risk and remote sensing of fire behavior and effects. Over the last five years, our faculty members have received more than $6 million in grants and contracts to conduct wildland fire research. Many undergraduate students work with faculty and graduate students during the summer field season and in our labs during the academic year. Students are paid for their work with the funding from these research grants and work study programs.

Activities

The University of Idaho College of Natural Resources builds upon its strong educational background with an impressive interdisciplinary approach to wildland fire research. We challenge our students with innovative research projects that provide useful, timely and sound scientific input to help solve fire management issues across the state, region and nation. We provide our students with the opportunity to collaborate with top researchers both at the University of Idaho and also nationwide.

Hands-On Experience

At the University of Idaho, you’ll have unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience in fire ecology and management. Field experiences include developing actual proposals for prescribed burns and fuel treatments and designing fire effects and fuels monitoring plans. You may also have opportunities to work as a firefighter or fire manager.

Facilities

College of Natural Resources facilities include:

• University of Idaho Experimental Forest
• University of Idaho Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research
• Remote Sensing and GIS Research Laboratory
• Forest and Range Measurements Laboratory
• Guernsey Outdoor Classroom
• Taylor Wilderness Research Station
• Idaho Stable Isotopes Laboratory
• Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative
• Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative
• University of Idaho Laboratory for Conservation and Ecological Genetics
• Landscape Dynamics Laboratory
• Lee Sharp Experimental Area
• McCall Field Campus
• Policy Analysis Group

Online & Outreach

Program outreach efforts connect our expertise and research to people interested in, involved with, or affected by wildland fire in forests and rangelands. We deliver science and transfer technology person-to-person. The Fire Research and Management Exchange System (FRAMES) and the 401 Series are just two examples of professional outreach that are at the crossroads between research and education.