Forest Fires: A Reference Handbook

(Hardback)

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Description

From killer fires to ecosystem rehabilitation, an exhaustive survey exploring the ecological, social, and economic consequences of managing fires in United States wildland areas. During the summer of 2000, one of the worst fire seasons on U.S. record, a rash of wildfires scorched 7 million acres in the West, destroying forests, displacing wildlife and resulting in loss of human life and property. How can an element capable of such mass destruction play a vital role in the function of natural ecosystems Forest Fires: A Reference Handbook explores the historical, ecological, economic, and social dimensions of wildland combustion in North America and its impacts. Explaining how legislation and public perception have been shaped by historic fires and fire seasons, particular emphasis is placed on the summer of 2000 as a way of understanding and managing future fires. Fire management involves protecting natural resources from fire but also using controlled burning for land management purposes. Who are the stewards of land management and the researchers who devote their entire careers studying fire How are ecosystems restored after major fires What are the economic ramifications and what assessment tools are available

Reviews

"Forest Fires is a 'must' for any serious college-level course on the topic, and for many science holdings." - Midwest Book Review "The reader needs no special training in forestry or forest fire science to appreciate this book, and anyone interested in forest fires will gain from referencing it. It should be contained in the reference section of all public and school libraries." - American Reference Books Annual "The purpose of this book is to explore the many dimensions of forest fires and their impacts in North America and elsewhere. Offering insights into current practice and historical precedents, it is aimed at those who seek an overview reference to fire science and management." - National Hazards Observer

Author Bio

Philip N. Omi is a professor in the department of forest, rangeland, and watershed stewardship at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, and director of the Western Forest Fire Research Center.