Teacher's Answer Key

Worksheet 1 - Reading Comprehension Activity Answers :

Worksheet 2:

Fire Suppression
1. Sentence: The policy was to prevent fires from happening and stamp out any fires that did occur as quickly as possible ( fire suppression) .
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Fire suppression - The idea of putting out all wildfires as soon as possible.

Fire Lines
1. Sentence: They would dig trenches or cut fire lines to clear an area to the soil.
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Fire lines – an area cleared of brush, debris, trees, etc so that only soil is exposed to help prevent the spread of wildfires.

Prescribed Fire
1. Sentence: In the1950s and 1960s, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service began to experiment with prescribed fires , where fires are set on purpose in order to burn away material that could be harmful later.
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Prescribed fires - A fire set deliberately for the purpose of wildfire and forest management; sometimes used as a tool to prevent future wildfires.

Succession
1. Sentence: By the 1940s, ecologists recognized that fire was an important part of ecosystem function and that total suppression could interfere with natural patterns of succession , the recovery process when an area is disturbed that enables forest regeneration.
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Succession – the ecological idea that the forest will regenerate or re-grow after a disturbance such as fire.

Naturally Occurring Fires
1. Sentence: By the 1970s the National Park Service had introduced a fire management plan which allowed naturally occurring fires , lightning-caused fires, to burn without human influences or suppression.
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Naturally occurring fires – wildfires that begin because of a natural cause and not because of humans.

Natural Fire Management
1. Sentence: As early as 1930, some land managers started suggesting a return to natural fire management.
2. Definition: Answers will vary. Natural Fire Management – the forest management idea of letting fires that occur naturally (like from lightning strikes) to burn and to not interfere with nature; allowing the natural fire cycle to occur.

Worksheet 3: Answers will vary depending on the state. Use the Rubric to help with grading the poster and presentation.

Worksheet 4: Projects will vary greatly. Use the Rubrics to help with grading the project.

Assessment 1: Application and Integration

Projects will vary. The rubric was designed to help with grading.

Assessment 2 Test :

1. When was the U.S. Forest Service created and what was its original fire management plan?

The U.S. Forest Service was established in 1905 and their original fire management plan was complete fire suppression.

2. What are three changes that occurred in smokejumping since 1940?

Answers will vary but should include at least three of the following:

•  Single engine to multi-engine planes for jumping

•  The addition of female smokejumpers in 1981

•  Parachute color changes from white to white and orange panels

•  Parachute material changes from silk to “rip-stop” nylon

•  Rip chord design changes

•  Circumference of the parachute changed

•  New fireproof (Kevlar) uniforms

•  Food box dropped

•  Fire shelters

3. Define: natural fire management, fire exclusion policy, and prescribed burns.

natural fire management – fires started from natural causes such as lightning would be allowed to burn without suppression

fire exclusion policy – complete fire suppression

prescribed burns - a fire management tool where a fire is intentionally set, in a skillful manner, to achieve certain outcomes, such as to improve habitat for wildlife and livestock, to improve watershed, or to reduce hazardous build up of fire fuels in the hopes of preventing large wildfires in the future.

4. Explain two changes that occurred in public land management agencies as a result of the Yellowstone fires in 1988

Public land management agencies introduced fire management plans with stricter guidelines under which naturally occurring fires would be allowed to burn. They also began to better inform the public of the value and purpose of fire in forests.

5. List at least two factors which land use agencies are forced to consider when creating fire management plans.

Students might list any of the following:

•  People are moving closer to forested lands and expect protection for themselves, their homes, and their property during wildfires so land use managers must take this into consideration.

•  Public forest areas also often adjoin privately owned forest lands and a wildfire occurring on public lands could have an impact on a private forest owner.

•  Environmental impacts

•  Ecological impacts

•  Economic impacts of wildfires.

6. Name at least three facts you learned about wildfires in your state.

Answers will vary depending on the posters your students present.

7. What was Smokey Bear's original message and why was he created?

Smokey's original message was “Only you can prevent Forest Fires!” His message was one of fire prevention and fire suppression. Smokey and his message were created as a public service announcement to inform people about the importance of preventing forest fires. Students might also talk about how Smokey was created around the time of World War II during a time when protecting our national natural resources was very important. And Smokey also often emphasized that fire prevention was good stewardship and an American duty to help support the war effort.

8. When did Smokey first add to his original message and what message did he add?

Smokey added to his original message in 2001. He now teaches not only fire prevention, but also about the important role fire plays in our ecosystem.

Assessment 3: Reflective Exercise

Editorials will differ.