Wildfire prevention teacher resources

Elementary school: K–2

Smokey Bear Elementary School Resources » Learn Smokey Bear's Five Rules for Wildfire Prevention! It's easy—integrate this exciting, hands-on program into your existing curriculum.

Middle school: 6–8

Smokey Bear Middle School Resources » A complete language arts and science curriculum for grades 6-8. Students take on the role of forensic investigators in this program designed for the science/earth science classroom. The program will reinforce critical thinking, collaborative learning, and research skills in language arts, social studies, and health/safety.

High school: 9–12

Firewise Communities: Reducing the Risk of Wildfire » Students play a critical role in helping their community by using GIS to conduct Firewise Risk Assessments. They analyze environmental criteria, identify areas at high risk for wildland fire, and help plan activities to prevent fire losses. These lessons correlate to national and Minnesota standards and are adaptable for different classroom needs.
This material is available for Minnesota educators only.

More education materials

Crossword puzzles

• Crossword 1
• Crossword 2

Whether to burn coloring book » produced by Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact.

National Symbols Cache - Offers products featuring Smokey Bear, the national symbol for the prevention of wildfires, and Woodsy Owl, the national symbol for promoting conservation practices. They also offer items that promote fire prevention education and Junior Ranger programs.

National Association Of State Foresters - Classic Smokey Bear posters to rulers and calendars, the NASF Store offers educational materials and products as part of our mission to sustain healthy trees and forests across America. Their materials support the essential conservation education and fire prevention efforts of teachers, foresters, fire departments, and other agencies and organizations.

Wisconsin's K–12 Wildland Fire Guide - This lesson guide focuses on the economic, social, and ecological implications of wildland fire in Wisconsin. It includes one age-appropriate lesson for each grade unit (K–1, 2–3, 4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–12).

National Park Service Wildland Fire Lesson Plans - Lessons are meant to connect students with the management of public lands, help develop skills in issue analysis and problem-solving, and educate about wildland fire. Topics include a wildland-urban interface, fire prevention measures, prescribed fire, and fire adaptations.

Mammoth Cave National Park Fire Curriculum - Lessons will educate students in grades 4–8 about fire and its role in the park. Topics include fire triangle, wildland firefighting, historical use of prescribed burns, fire-adapted habits, fuel load sampling, estimation, meteorology, effects of weather on fire danger, and cost of wildland firefighting.

Sparky - Sparky teaches about fire safety, including escape routes and smoke alarms. Features games and coloring pages.

Ready.gov - These multidisciplinary lessons teach what to do before, during, and after an emergency while fostering critical 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, leadership, and communication. Embedded with real-world connections.

Smokey

Materials listed below availability may vary, and new materials may also be available. Contact your local DNR Forestry office or DNR Information Center 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.

Please note: Wildfire prevention education materials are available for Minnesota educators only.

Smokey's Friends Wildfire Prevention Activity Cards

The activity cards are intended to raise children's awareness of basic wildfire prevention concepts by helping them understand that fire can be good or safe and bad or destructive depending on how it is used or controlled. Grades PreK–2 Download cards

Children's Fire Safety Activity Book

This activity book, available from the Smokey Bear program, is filled with photocopy-ready word games, mazes, and coloring sheets that focus on fire safety. Grades 1–3

Children's Fire Safety Coloring Book

This book teaches students Smokey Bear's five rules for fire prevention. Grades 1–3

Educational poster set

These 20" x 30" full-color posters help students with basic plant and animal identification while building an appreciation for the natural world. You may order a pack of posters including trees, lizards, tracks, animals at night, mushrooms, and nests. Grades K-5.

Other classroom materials

The following Smokey Bear items are available in limited quantities for the classroom when lessons include fire safety and wildfire prevention messages:

Materials are available by contacting your local DNR forestry office.

• Smokey Bear play with masks (limit one)
• The story of Smokey Bear
• Smokey Bear visits
• Smokey and the backpack
• Good fire/bad fire (large flashcards, limit one)