Course 4: The Evolution of Fire Modeling: Contemporary Needs Drive Application Based Solutions

Enroll now for this Spring 2025 course! The exact course start date is to be determined.

The Evolution of Fire Modeling: Contemporary Needs Drive Application Based Solutions

"The Evolution of Fire Modeling: Contemporary Needs Drive Application-Based Solutions" is a comprehensive course that explores the development and application of wildland fire models from traditional empirical approaches to next-generation physics-based models. This course is designed for a broad audience, appealing to students and professionals across disciplines such as forestry, environmental science, meteorology, emergency management, and land management.

Throughout the course, participants will gain an understanding of the historical context and evolution of fire modeling, learning how early empirical models were developed and how they have been adapted and improved over time. The course will also delve into cutting-edge advancements in physics-based fire models, which offer enhanced accuracy and predictive capabilities by simulating the fundamental physical processes of fire behavior. A broad survey of available fire models will serve as a framework to determine what the most effective fire modeling tool is for specific applications.

This course is not for credit.

Program Information

This certificate program provides a comprehensive overview of the essential tools and technologies used in wildland fire management. Designed for a diverse audience including fire practitioners, ecologists, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, land managers, and natural resource managers, the program aims to equip participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize the best tools for their specific needs. Through a combination of readings, hands-on exercises, and guest interviews from industry experts, participants will gain a deep understanding of the latest advancements in fire management, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and enhancing the capacity to manage landscapes using wildland fires and fire surrogates efficiently and sustainably.

Prerequisite knowledge includes a basic understanding of natural and/or cultural resource management. We also recommend completing Course 1: Introduction to the Tools and Technologies for Natural and Cultural Resource Management Course, Course 2: Vegetation Management with Fire: Innovation in Tools and Techniques, and Course 3: On-The-Ground Tools for Cultural and Natural Resources Management. This program is not for credit. Students will receive a digital non-credit certification of completion upon completing all 5 courses.

Course Modality: This course is offered online and self-paced. It will utilize Canvas, an online learning management system. Upon registration, please visit your student dashboard to access Canvas.

The Tools and Technologies for Natural Resource, Forest, and Fire Management certificate program has been developed in partnership with the Center for Applied Fire and Ecosystem Sciences (CAFES) team at the New Mexico Consortium (NMC), a non-profit collaborative research institution formed by three universities, industry and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Instructors for this program include research scientists, technical and administrative staff from NMC who are subject matter experts in wildland fire science applications.

Cost: $499 per course

For registered NAU students, faculty, and staff with an @nau.edu email address, please click “Login” at the top right corner of the page and log in using your NAU credentials. Do not create a new Catalog account.

For more information, contact: ContinuingEd@nau.edu

The Tools and Technologies for Natural Resource, Forest, and Fire Management certificate program is a partnership between NAU’s School of Forestry and the Center for Applied Fire and Ecosystem Sciences (CAFES) team at the New Mexico Consortium.

ACCESSIBILITY

Professional disability specialists are available at Disability Resources to facilitate a range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, you can request assistance by contacting Disability Resources at 928-523-8773 (voice), 928-523-8747 (fax), or dr@nau.edu (e-mail).

Refunds

Students may withdraw from a course with a full refund up to one week prior to the course start date. There is a 50% administration fee for withdrawals from one week prior to the course start date until the day the course begins. After the course start date, refunds are no longer available.