2009 Fire Ecology Institute for Educators

Fire, Fact and Fascination

Ideas that enter the mind under fire remain there securely and forever. Leon Trotsky

Blame it on Prometheus. After stealing fire from Zeus, he delivered this gift to mankind unleashing a firestorm of inventiveness and productivity. Cooking, tool making and warfare soon followed. Containment of fire allowed us to advance, but as the saying goes, if you play with fire, you are likely to get burned. Fire is hypnotic. It can be destructive. What child has not been drawn to it either in fascination or fear? Education is the key to getting children and adults fired up to learn the facts, fun and fascination of fire.

I have gained knowledge, materials and information (not to mention CDs, DVDs, videos, posters, and PLT activity guides) to deliver relevant information to 5th grade students in DPS. The myriad of ideas, activities, and materials are mind boggling, so I am just going to fire away on ways that I can use this information in a classroom setting.

Don’t let your dreams go up in smoke-practice fire safety. ~Author unknown

Introduction of the fire triangle and fire safety would be first on the agenda. There is no reason for having a smoking hot unit on fire if precautions are not taken for children’s safety. Participation and engagement of students in a service learning project would enhance their retention of the firestorm of information and activities to follow. So, as a teacher, I need to have a few irons in the fire (tricks up my sleeve?) to engage and activate their curious, inquiring minds. Activities would include using the Fire’s Role in Nature notebook with pamphlets and posters, PLT activities, and the Getting to Know Wildland Fire teacher’s guide to fire ecology.

How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? ~Author unknown

Of course, I would use the matchstick forest experiment to demonstrate fire behavior. The Fireworks experiments and information boxes would be utilized for interactive hands on learning. To finalize a unit on fire, the Charcoal Forest, can be introduced. Timelines, posters, and pamphlets can be created by the students.

Man is the only creature that dares to light a fire and live with it. The reason? Because he alone has learned to put it out. ~Henry David Thoreau

I was not familiar with the terms or ideas of fire suppression, mitigation, and defensible space. If recent newspaper articles are any indication of the knowledge of the general public, then it would be of my utmost interest to educate the public on how they can prevent wildfires. Of course, Smokey the Bear has done an excellent job of getting public service announcements out to the general public, but it is also my job to educate others. The only way this is going to happen is to get communities involved. How am I going to do that? I suppose in my own way, I can discuss it and encourage others to carefully look at their own homes in the WUI. Hopefully, we are all interested in protecting wildlife habitats, lakes and rivers. Many of us are concerned about recreational areas and are own enjoyment of Colorado’s great resources. To protect and preserve our forests, homes, and wildlife, we must all increase our awareness of fire danger, and influence and support others in their willingness to take charge of their property.

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. ~Garrison Keillor

Thank you Shawna and to all of the firefighters, foresters, biologists, ecologists, hydrologists, and educators that made Fire Ecology Institute possible. I hope that I will continue to get on like a house on fire with all of the wonderful people that were included in this institute.