Fire Science and Wildfire Safety Education
The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) and the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) have partnered to offer a FREE fire science curriculum for middle schoolers across the county. The program is free to students, parents, and schools, with MCFSC covering al the costs of materials and transportation.
The goal is to empower students to learn about fire science and take action to protect their communities in the face of wildfire while meeting Next Generation Science Standards. In 2024 and 2025, the program reached 294 and 720 students respectively.
The first lesson occurs in the classroom and focuses on fire ecology and the history of fire in California. It utilizes trauma-informed educational practices to talk to kids about fire.
The second lesson is a field trip that includes a very controlled burn, with matchsticks representing trees, cotton balls standing in for vegetation, and volunteer trainers who nudge things along with scientific queries and safety tips. The kids also go for a hike in the woods to learn how to identify native species, and how they are adapted to wildfire.
The third lesson is back in the classroom and focuses on wildfire preparedness and resilience. The students assess their school campus for potential fire-safety improvements, and vote on what items they should pack in a go-bag in case they have to evacuate.
To learn more about this program, read an article by Sarah Reith or listen to her podcast on our blog post.
