CBC Archives

Conduct a class poll on the following statements:
True or False?

1. Forest fires threaten people, property, and valuable timber in Canada.
2. Forest fires are inevitable.
3. Forest fires are essential.
4. Many people have died in Canada as a result of forest fires.

After tabulating the results of the poll, lead a discussion about why forest fires are inevitable, how they can be threatening, and how, in some cases, they are essential.

Direct students to the topic Fighting Forest Fires on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Students will explore Clips # 3, 4, and 6, and the Additional Clip “Controlled fires manage the forest” and answer the following questions (also available on the download sheet Fire with Fire):

1. How do forest fires start?
2. What are the three elements necessary to sustain a forest fire?
3. What are five ways in which forest-fire fighters control forest fires?
4. How are forest fires sometimes advantageous to some plants and species?
5. How do conservationists incorporate fires into forest management?

Have students assemble in small groups to share and compare their findings. Each group will prepare answers to each of the questions and presents its findings to the rest of the class.

Students can interview local firefighters about forest fire control, using the questions above as a basis for their interview and adding questions of their own. Students can present a transcript of the interview to the rest of the class.