Hot Topics Wildfires & You

Hot Topics: Wildfires & You

This unit is aligned to meet California State Science Content Standards for sixth grade and is adaptable for grades four through eight. The unit includes detailed background information for teachers and four lessons.

• Lesson 1: Exploring Heat and Energy - This lesson interweaves the concepts of energy, heat, the fire triangle and natural resources.
• Lesson 2: Fire – How Does it Relate to You? – Students will apply their knowledge of the fire triangle to a wildland fire scenario.
• Lesson 3: Fire in Our Communities – Students explore the concept of defensible space in their homes and communities.
• Lesson 4: Fire Investigation and Experimentation – Students are introduced to the concept of fuel moisture and its effect on fire danger. (Lab kits may be checked out from The Forest Foundation – call 1-866-241-8733)

Resources

Download Background Information for Teachers

Download How to Use this Curriculum

Acknowledgements

Slide Show Presentation: Introduction to California Wildfires

Download California 4th - 8th Grade Content Standards Alignment

Download Additional Wildfire Teaching Resources

Lesson 1

Exploring Heat and Energy - This lesson interweaves the concepts of energy, heat, the fire triangle and natural resources.

Download Lesson 1

Download Lesson 1 Vocabulary

Lesson 2

Fire - How Does it Relate to You? - Students will apply their knowledge of the fire triangle to a wildland fire scenario.

Download Lesson 2

Download Lesson 2 Vocabulary

Lesson 3

Fire in Our Communities - Students explore the concept of defensible space in their homes and communities.

Download Lesson 3

Download Lesson 3 Vocabulary

Download Defensible Space

Download Homeowners Checklist

Download Photo Examples of fuel accumulation in overcrowded forests and the dangers faced by homes without defensible space