Abstract: The work on each speciality of forest fire research was introduced, and the forest fire research covered forest fire basic theory research, forest fire prevention, forecasting, monitoring and early warning, fire fighting and risk assessment, forest fire management and restoration and reconstruction, etc. was summarized. The current situation and problems of the development of forest fire science in China were analyzed and the discipline structure of forest fire science system was put forward to provide reference for the future development direction of teaching and research. The prospect of forest fire research was put forward from the aspects of expanding field, planning prevention system, establishing risk assessment system and prompting emergency rescue efficiency.

Key words:  forest fire, forest fire science, subject classification, forest fire ecology, knowledge system