New FAO elearning course builds practical skills for integrated fire management decision-making

Do you want to better understand how fire behaviour is predicted, how early warning systems work, or how decisions are made to manage fires on the landscape? 

Strengthening practical skills for integrated fire management (IFM) is the focus of a new FAO elearning course, supported by the Republic of Korea through the Assuring the Future of Forests with Integrated Risk Management (AFFIRM) Mechanism and the Government of Canada through the Global Fire Management Hub. The course, ‘Basic integrated fire management tools for early warning and decision-making', offers a practical introduction to fire danger rating and early warning systems, helping practitioners, policymakers and stakeholders strengthen decision-making in the face of growing wildfire risks. 

Participants will build a strong a foundation for developing decision-support systems that can be applied on the ground. Through four lessons, the self-paced course covers global fire dynamics, the key drivers of fire behaviour, the role of early warning systems, and the development of practical decision aids. This e-learning course can prepare students for more in-depth training,  for example, hands-on workshop training that FAO has developed through the Fire Hub.

Helping decision-makers in IFM

The course offers a thorough grounding in IFM, a holistic approach that integrates economic, sociocultural and environmental aspects crucial for fire management. Not all fire is bad or should be suppressed: important considerations include the use of natural and human-caused fire in maintaining social values, such as those related to communities, culture and livelihoods, as well as ecological values, including ecosystem maintenance and integrity. At the same time, IFM recognizes the impacts of natural and human-caused wildfires on vulnerable populations, including through smoke and post-wildfire hazards such as increased soil erosion and runoff.

Because of this complexity, decision-making in IFM can be challenging. The course focuses on simplifying that process by introducing key tools that help translate data and knowledge into action. It targets a wide range of users, including fire management practitioners, government agencies, researchers, community stakeholders and rights-holders involved in managing fires.  

“Through the AFFIRM Mechanism, FAO is supporting countries to strengthen their technical capacity for integrated fire management. This course contributes by providing accessible, practical knowledge that can be applied across different landscapes and contexts,” said Lara Steil, Fire Management Officer, FAO.

As wildfire risks continue to increase in many parts of the world, strengthening decision-making capacity is an essential part of building resilience. By equipping users with practical tools and knowledge, the course supports countries and practitioners in moving from data to informed action.

The course is now available online through the FAO e-learning Academy.