From Beneath the Ashes

In 1988, forest fires ravaged over a million acres of Yellowstone National Park. The vast devastation of the fires caused many to question the policy of Yellowstone fire rangers to let fires burn themselves out. For many years before this policy, rangers quickly extinguished fires. But fire rangers discovered that stopping the fires did more harm than letting them burn in a controlled manner. This episode of The New Explorers examines how fire is a natural part of the environmental cycle, renewing and rejuvenating the very forests it destroys. From Beneath the Ashes would be useful for classes on Science, Agriculture, The Environment and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Neolithic
• agriculture
• catastrophe
• coordination
• devastation
• ecologist
• evolve
• impulse
• intrinsic
• modification
• mosaic
• nutrients
• phosphorous
• pioneers
• precautionary
• resiliency

1. What is the “slash and burn” technique? How have farmers used this technique to increase crop yield?

2. In 1988, fires ravaged over a million acres in Yellowstone National Park. How did these fires start? What was so unique about 1988 that made the fires possible?

3. For many years, fire rangers would quickly extinguish forest fires. Why did that policy change?

4. What is a homesteader? What was their role in American history and the expansion of the nation?

5. Fire can quickly destroy everything in its path. But fire is also one of the most important tools in our society. Discuss some of the positive uses of fire.

6. What is restrictive burning? How does it help to preserve the prairie?

7. What is organic matter? What is the role of organic matter in regeneration?

8. Discuss the future of Yellowstone National Park.

1. Locate Yellowstone National Park on a map of the United States. How large is Yellowstone? How many states does it cross? What is the history of Yellowstone National Park?

2. Create a chart illustrating the ecological cycle of fire and rejuvenation.