Class Preventing and Fighting Forest Fires

The Prevention and Fighting Forest Fires curricular unit addresses the principles of forest planning, management and protection, with a focus on wildfire risk prevention and mitigation. It integrates knowledge of forest ecology, fire behaviour, fuel management, land-use planning and the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR), providing skills in prevention, decision support and wildfire suppression. The curricular unit contributes to the education of professionals capable of planning and implementing forest protection strategies and supporting integrated wildfire risk management.

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1. Portuguese Forests 1.1. Distribution and characterization; 1.2. Threats and protection; 1.3. Ecological, economic, social and environmental aspects; 1.4. Land-use planning and forest management. 2. Fire in Forest Ecosystems 2.1. Wildfire statistics; 2.2. Wildfire impacts; 2.3. Climate change and fire regimes; 2.4. Wildfire hazard and risk. 3. Integrated Rural Fire Management System 3.1. Legal framework; 3.2. Organization and stakeholders; 3.3. Fire management processes. 4. Forest Protection Planning 4.1. Structural prevention; 4.2. Fuel management; 4.3. Prescribed burning; 4.4. Landscape planning. 5. Wildfire Suppression 5.1. Fire behaviour; 5.2. Operational safety; 5.3. Decision support; 5.4. Operational analysis; 5.5. Fire suppression techniques and tactics.

Active teaching and learning strategies, namely Problem-Based Learning (PBL), based on problem solving and case study analysis. The Moodle platform is used to provide learning materials, activities and communication with students. The assessment model values class participation and weekly independent work (short exercises), promoting continuous learning. Student support sessions are available outside regular class hours.

Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais. (2020). Plano Nacional de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais 2020-2030. Byram, G. M. (1959). Some principles of combustion and their significance in forest fire behaviour. Fire Control Notes, 18, 47-57. Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2021, de 13 de outubro. Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais. Fernandes, P. M., & Botelho, H. S. (2003). A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 12(2), 117-128. Rothermel, R. C. (1972). A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels (USDA Forest Service Research Paper INT-115). Viegas, D. X. (Ed.). (2011). Incêndios Florestais. Verlag Dashöfer.