Lesson Plan: Understanding Wildfires and Their Global Impact

Ann S. Michaelsen

8 months ago

Carbon Monoxide From Canada Wildfires Carbon monoxide from Canadian wildfires curls thousands of miles across North America in this animation showing data from summer 2023. Lower concentrations are shown in purple; higher concentrations are in yellow. Red triangles indicate fire hotspots. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Objective:
Students will explore the causes, trends, and impacts of wildfires globally and locally, compare wildfire data from their own country, and develop critical thinking through analysis and discussion.

Toxic pollution from wildfires has infiltrated the homes of more than a billion people a year over the last two decades, according to new research.

The climate crisis is driving up the risk of wildfires by increasing heatwaves and droughts, making the issue of wildfire smoke a “pressing global issue”, scientists said.

The tiny particles produced by wildfires can travel thousands of miles and are known to be more toxic than urban air pollution, due to higher concentrations of chemicals that cause inflammation. Wildfire pollution has been linked to early deaths, worsened heart and breathing diseases and premature births.

Previous studies have analysed outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, but people spend most of their time indoors, particularly when seeking refuge from wildfires. The new analysis is the first global, high-resolution study of indoor spikes in wildfire pollution.The Guardian. Damian Carrington Environment editor

1. Introduction (Class Discussion)

Begin with a brief overview: What are wildfires? Where do they occur? Why are they important to study?
Use the following quote to spark discussion:

“Extreme wildfire activity has more than doubled worldwide. Fire season is getting longer, and emissions larger.”1

2. Article Reading and Analysis

Assign the main article: “Toxic wildfire pollution infiltrates homes of 1bn people a year, study finds” The Guardian

See more references at the bottom of this lesson plan

3. Fact Questions (Comprehension Check)

By how much have extreme wildfire activities increased worldwide in recent decades?1
What are the main factors contributing to the increase in wildfire activity?1
How much did carbon emissions from forest fires increase globally between 2001 and 2023?1
What percentage of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans?6
In 2023, how many wildfires occurred in the US and how many acres did they burn?2

4. Comparative Data Task

Assignment:
Research the number of wildfires and the area burned in your own country over the past five years.
- Compare your findings with the US statistics from the articles:
  
  “In 2023, there were 56,580 wildfires across the US, which burned a total of 2,693,910 acres.”2
  “Since the year 2000, approximately 72,400 wildfires have charred around 7 million acres of U.S. territory annually.”5
Discussion Questions:

Is the trend in your country similar or different to that in the US?
What factors might explain any differences?

5. Key Quotes for Discussion

“Fire season is getting longer, and emissions larger.”1
“Wildfires in the US are an escalating problem. While it may be difficult to see a clear trend in the number of acres burned each year, data shows a steady increase in the number of wildfire incidents across the country.”2
“Studies have shown human ignition is to blame for 84% of all wildfires in the United States, and 97% of all those that threaten homes.”3

6. Essay Questions (Critical Thinking)

Discuss the role of climate change in the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires globally, using examples from at least two articles.
Evaluate the impact of human activities on wildfire trends and severity, referencing both causes and possible solutions.
Compare wildfire management strategies in the US and your own country. What lessons can be learned from each?

7. Group Activity: Global Comparison Table

Country	Average Annual Wildfires	Area Burned (acres/hectares)	Major Causes	Notable Trends
United States	56,580 (2023)2	2,693,910 acres (2023)2	84% human-caused6	Increasing severity, stable number1 2
Australia	N/A	46 million acres (2019-20)2	Climate, human, drought	Record-breaking seasons2 4
[Your Country]	[Student Research]	[Student Research]	[Student Research]	[Student Research]

8. Homework/Extension

Read one additional article from the list provided.
Write a short report (1–2 pages) summarizing wildfire trends in your country and comparing them to those in the US and Australia.

References to Use in Class

NASA Science: Wildfires and Climate Change
Dryad Networks: Wildfires in the US: Alarming Statistics and Trends
Science: Human-sparked wildfires are more destructive than those caused by nature
WWF: World on Fire
National Geographic: How wildfires can grow deadly overnight