Wildfres

A wildfire is a fire that rages out of control in the wilderness, like a forest or countryside. Wildfires often 

begin unnoticed. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents, such as campers or hikers 

that did not take care of their campfire properly. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes.

Am I at risk?

Wildfires are common in wildland settings 

where there are many forests and during 

periods of little rainfall. At Yellowstone 

National Park, the average time when 

fires are reported is 3:03 in the 

afternoon! This is because fires 

burn more strongly during the 

middle of the day when the sun 

is very hot.

Did you know?

Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) are a group of around 70 specially 

trained weather experts with the National Weather Service. They 

work closely with wildfire responders at wildfire sites, monitoring, 

analyzing, and reporting fire and weather conditions to ensure the 

safety of emergency responders. Their forecasts help firefighters plan 

operations when dealing with the unpredictable nature of fire.

Fact Check 

1. What three elements make up the 

fire triangle (necessary to create and 

maintain a fire)?

H 

F 

O 

2. True or False? People create most 

wildfires.

ANSWERS

 Heat, Fuel, Oxygen. When there is not enough (1)

heat generated, or when the fuel runs out, is 

removed, or isolated, or when oxygen supply is 

limited, then a side of the triangle is broken and the 

fire cannot survive. 

 True! Many fires are started by accident. (2)

burning debris •	Unattended

ATV’s) (lawnmowers, fires •	Equipment

•	Smoking

campfires •	Unattended

•	Fireworks

coals BBQ or fireplace •	Discarded

For more facts and info on wildfires visit

http://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/wildfires

http://www.fs.fed.us/kids/

http://www.smokeybear.com/

TM
Wildfires

Be Prepared

BEFORE

	 Build an emergency kit.

Make a family communications plan.

Make sure your family has smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially in bedrooms. Ask your parents 

to check them every month and to change the batteries every year.

	 If you don’t have a smoke alarm, check with your local fire department about getting a free one.

Help your parents to rake the lawn and rid it of leaves and twigs. These can catch fire if a wildfire is near your home.

Never play with matches. You could accidentally start a fire.

DURING

Listen to emergency officials if they say to evacuate. 

If you see a wildfire, call 911. You may be the first person to have spotted it!

Help your parents fill outdoor tubs, pools, or garbage cans with water.

Help your parents place important papers and family photographs inside 

the car, inside the garage. Put your pets in the car, too, so if you need to 

leave immediately, everything is packed.

	 Put important thingsthat won’t be damaged by water in a pool or pond.

Turn on outside lights and all the lights on inside the house. 

This will help it be seen in heavy smoke.

AFTER

If you are at home, keep a “fire watch.” That means, look for smoke or sparks 

throughout the house. If you see anything, tell a grown-up immediately!

	 If you have evacuated, do not go home until safety officials say it’s okay.

Stay away from downed or dangling power lines. They could electrocute you.

Look out for ash pits or hidden embers. Stay away. They could burn you.

	 Do not use water from the faucet unless emergency officials say it’s okay.

 WORDS 

TO KNOW

Smoke Alarms Sensors 

attached to the ceiling 

that sound an alarm 

when they sense smoke

Fire Extinguisher A fire 

protection device that 

sprays foam and is used 

to help put out small fires

Evacuation Leaving an area 

that has been declared 

unsafe

For more facts and info on wildfires visit

http://www.smokeybear.com/