There are many descriptors or characteristics of free-burning wildland fire behavior that relate to five distinct impact zones: (i) around the flames; (ii) below the flames; (iii) in the flames; (iv) above the flames; and (v) behind the flames. These include, but are not limited to, flame front dimensions (length, height and depth), linear rate of advance, fireline intensity, flaming residence and smouldering or burn-out times, and type of fire (ground, surface, crown). Such descriptors determine the immediate physical or acute impacts of fire which give rise to ecological effects. For example, the temperature profile in the thermal or convective plume above a surface fire will dictate the height of crown scorch that in turn determines the probability of tree mortality. To further illustrate the prospects for biophysical fire effects modelling, the case of serotinous cone opening in jack pine and lodgepole pine forests will be examined in this seminar presentation.