It’s after Labor Day, and schools around the country are reconvening for the start of the school year. Many classrooms will be incorporating lessons about fire, what with different fire curricula becoming more readily available and relevant to students’ learning needs and interests. Fire education in K-12 schools gives students a chance to explore how fire plays a natural role in maintaining fire adapted ecosystems, and how Indigenous peoples have used fire as a cultural and ecological tool for generations. It also gives students a chance to better understand the difference between wildfire and beneficial fire, to process their own experiences with fire, and to recognize how human activity impacts fire behavior.
The examples of fire curricula below are by no means exhaustive – there is a wealth of available fire education resources out there, and we are eager to hear of the ones you know of and have utilized. Please share them in the comments!
Happy learning, happy burning!
North Carolina State University – K-12 and Youth Education
This webpage from NC State University includes an excellent list of organizations and entities that have put together fire education plans – from how to build a “Defensible Space Diorama” to coloring sheets from the Smokey Generation. Consider this a great launchpad for all things fire education – a great place to start!
FireWorks Educational Program
The FireWorks program, developed by the U.S. Forest Service, uses interactive lessons and physical teaching kits to explore fire’s role in ecosystems, fire behavior, and human impacts. The program is regionally tailored, available in multiple languages, and supports educators through workshops and specialized teaching tools.
Save California Salmon’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge Curriculum
This curriculum, created by Save California Salmon, integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and environmental science for grades 6–8, centering Indigenous voices, histories, and perspectives from Native California. Module 2 is specific to fire, with lessons and labs around fire dependent ecosystems, the effects of cultural fire, and plants and food systems related to fire.
U.S. Fire Administration: Sesame Street Fire Safety Program for Preschool Children
While these educational resources are designed for preschool children, they’re really fun for all ages. Who doesn’t love a good coloring session? The materials include both wildfire safety and safety practices for fire in homes. Of special note are the songs included in the program, like “Hot Things Burn” and “Elmo’s Smoke Alarm.”
Vesper Meadow’s Fire Ecology and the Human Relationship
The Vesper Meadow Fire Ecology and Human Relationship curriculum, developed with support from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, offers a science-based, interdisciplinary approach to teaching fire’s ecological role and cultural significance in Oregon. It encourages students to engage critically and creatively with topics like biodiversity, land stewardship, and how humans relate to fire.
Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education
The FireWorks! Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education (SOFEE) program is hands-on and activities-focused, giving students the opportunity to make memorable experiences with fire education and science. The program has a special emphasis on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and trauma-informed education practices. There are resources for learners K-8 and high school.
Elemental’s Reimagine Wildfire Curriculum
This curriculum, created to accompany the documentary Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire, features a slide deck on fire ecology and management, a building‑safety activity module, and reference materials for home and community wildfire preparedness. Designed for grades 6–12, the curriculum brings real‑world applications and contextual education about fire in today’s world.
What other fire education materials and curricula do you love? Share them with us in the comments!
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