An analysis of the fire occurrences parameters is essential to save human lives, property, timber resources and conservation of biodiversity. Data conversion formats such as raster to ASCII facilitate the integration of various GIS software’s in the context of RS and GIS modeling. This research explores fire occurrences in relation to human interaction, fuel density interaction, euclidean distance from the perennial streams and slope using artificial neural networks. The human interaction (ignition source) and density of fuels is assessed by Newton’s Gravitational theory. Euclidean distance to perennial streams and slope that do posses a significant role were derived using GIS tools. All the four non linear predictor variables were modeled using the inductive nature of neural networks. The Self organizing feature map (SOM) utilized for fire size risk classification produced an overall classification accuracy of 62% and an overall kappa coefficient of 0.52 that is moderate (fair) for annual fires.

Traditional counting of tree rings between fire scars to establish a fire history is examined for a better understanding of factors influencing fire scar formation and wound healing. The problem of dating fires which burn prior to or after the period of cambial activity is emphasized. A methodology for fire history studies based on fire scar and tree-ring analysis developed by Arno and Sneck (1977) is reviewed and elaborated upon. The importance of crossdating, height of sample cross sections, and problems associated with the extrapolation of data are discussed. Ongoing research involving the examination of the mineral concentration of tree rings and the presence of traumatic resin canals as markers of past fires is reviewed.

Black/white/male/female struggles over knowledge correctness and who is brave are examined inductively in the field of bushfires. The paradoxes of a white male icon are linked to contradictions in gender theories in disaster. In mainstream literature, assumptions of innate white male superiority in bravery justify white women???s diminution and white male domination. In feminist theory, women???s diminution is the problem and their bravery for struggling against hegemony applauded. Philosophies of bravery are explored in 104 semistructured interviews and 12 months??? fieldwork as a volunteer bushfirefighter. There is great variety in the ways volunteers cope with bushfires. However, evidence of white male hegemony emerges when volunteers complain of state and territory indifference to preventing property and environmental damage and injury and death. Evidence is examined that Indigenous Australians once managed bushfires better than a sprawl of bureaucracy. Bushfire service claims that Aborigines knew nothing about hazard reductions are contradicted. This debate over bushfire management leads to the discovery of a third epistemology breaking with claims of white male iconic bravery and bureaucratic mastery. To generalise about the habitus of claims to knowledge and bravery, I analyse Newcastle Herald articles from 1881-1981. Three competing knowledge fields and their associated struggles are examined; Indigenous Australians and white womens??? emancipatory struggles confront data on bushfirefighting. Bushfires emerge as a serious problem, a bureaucratic power base and a white male icon from the 1920s.

Thesis (M.S.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-100).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Includes maps in pocket. Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-166). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.) in Ecology and Environmental Sciences--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 55-61.

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Black/white/male/female struggles over knowledge correctness and who is brave are examined inductively in the field of bushfires. The paradoxes of a white male icon are linked to contradictions in gender theories in disaster. In mainstream literature, assumptions of innate white male superiority in bravery justify white women???s diminution and white male domination. In feminist theory, women???s diminution is the problem and their bravery for struggling against hegemony applauded. Philosophies of bravery are explored in 104 semistructured interviews and 12 months??? fieldwork as a volunteer bushfirefighter. There is great variety in the ways volunteers cope with bushfires. However, evidence of white male hegemony emerges when volunteers complain of state and territory indifference to preventing property and environmental damage and injury and death. Evidence is examined that Indigenous Australians once managed bushfires better than a sprawl of bureaucracy. Bushfire service claims that Aborigines knew nothing about hazard reductions are contradicted. This debate over bushfire management leads to the discovery of a third epistemology breaking with claims of white male iconic bravery and bureaucratic mastery. To generalise about the habitus of claims to knowledge and bravery, I analyse Newcastle Herald articles from 1881-1981. Three competing knowledge fields and their associated struggles are examined; Indigenous Australians and white womens??? emancipatory struggles confront data on bushfirefighting. Bushfires emerge as a serious problem, a bureaucratic power base and a white male icon from the 1920s.

Thesis (M.F.)--Oregon State College, 1940. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-99). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-106). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.