Forest fires are a natural part of many ecosystems and help keep them healthy. The plants and animals in these areas have adapted to these fires and can even benefit from them. However, it’s important to manage these fires to prevent them from becoming dangerous wildfires that can harm people and wildlife.
A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire in forests, grasslands, or brushlands. Examples of wildfires include “forest fires” and “bush fires.” When a wildfire grows too large and out of control, it can destroy habitats, damage trees, and threaten the lives of nearby animals and people.
In today’s lesson, we’ll explore how fires grow and spread, and how we can reduce the risk of wildfires to protect habitats and communities. Then, we’ll create our own wildfire detection vehicle!
Global Goals & Indigenous Perspectives
This lesson supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 goals designed to make the world a better place. Specifically, we’ll focus on:
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable)
- Goal 13: Climate Action (taking action to combat climate change and its impacts)
- Goal 15: Life on Land (protect and restore land-based ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss)
To fully achieve this goal, it’s crucial to integrate diverse knowledge systems. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) emphasizes that for many Indigenous cultures, the tradition of land stewardship and forestry protects the kowi (woods/forest) and the na nukshopa (wild plants and animals) that call it home.
