Living with Fire unit (KPZ104)

Introduction

Living with Fire is a level-100 unit offered as part of the Diploma of Sustainable Living. Fire has shaped the evolution of the world we see around us and is fundamental to life. Yet wildfire can also be devastating to human and ecological communities. Today, more and more of us are living in fire prone areas, and wildfires are behaving in new, less predictable ways. So how do we live with fire - as individuals, and as communities? How do we plan for fire, and how do we respond when fires happen? How do we ensure that we are using fire in a sustainable way? What are the trade-offs involved in fire management? And what might we learn from indigenous Australians, who have used fire skilfully on this continent for over 40,000 years? Living with Fire is for anyone interested in these complex but practical and fascinating questions about fire in our lives today. You will learn what causes fire and why wildfires behave the way they do. As well as the science of fire, you will learn about the human dimensions of fire and the complex trade-offs involved in fire management between the needs of culture and society, and ecology and biodiversity. You will learn how to evaluate your own level of fire risk and what you can do to plan for fire as an individual. You will also become more empowered to participate in conversations about how we plan for and respond to fire in our local communities.

Summary

Unit name	Living with Fire
Unit code	KPZ104
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences
Discipline	Biological Sciences
Coordinator	Professor Mark Hovenden
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the effects of wildfire and fire management practices on biodiversity and landscapes.
• Describe the effect of fire behaviour drivers on fire management and emergency response.
• Analyse strategies for creating sustainable communities in fire prone environments.
• Outline locally-appropriate options to manage individual wildfire risk.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Fully online unit.  There are no compulsory tutorial requirements for this unit although optional live tutorials have been introduced on student request to support engagement.
Assessment	Assignment 1: Fuel load, fuel structure and slope assessment (15%)|Quizzes (x6) (24%)|Assignment 3: Your personal bushfire management strategies (30%)|Assignment 2: Fire management strategies in your community (31%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.
Recommended	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.