Wildland fires are in the news every fire season. Wildland fires come in many types. The 

biggest news occurs when a naturally occurring wildland fire gets out of control and becomes 

a wildfire, or a wildfire is started by human action. Forest managers and fire scientists use a 

third type of wildland fire as a tool to reduce the effects and impacts of other wildland fires and 

wildfires. In this coloring book, we explore how foresters and fire scientists literally fight fire 

with fire. 

We all know that the same action or condition may be considered good in one situation and 

bad in another. For example, yelling loudly at someone would usually be considered bad, 

unless you were warning them of danger. Days of rain might be considered undesirable 

unless the area had been suffering from a drought and badly needed rain. Wildland fires, 

usually considered undesirable, are desirable in some situations.

Wildland fires are needed by many natural areas to remain healthy. For example, wildland 

fires are needed by some trees to open cones so that the trees can reproduce. Wildland fires 

clear the forest of too much fuel near the ground, and therefore help to reduce the risk of 

large wildfires. Wildfires are uncontrolled wildland forest and prairie fires. Wildfires may cause 

damage to homes and other buildings.

Foresters use controlled wildland fires to keep forests healthy in these areas. When foresters 

use controlled fires, they set fires on purpose when conditions are safe. They carefully control 

these fires to make sure the fires stay small. Controlled fires are easily put out and do not 

damage homes or other buildings.

Controlled wildland fires are known as prescribed fires. These fires are also known as good 

fires. Good fires provide many benefits to natural areas and to people. In this coloring book, 

you will color pictures that show good fires’ many benefits. Fire scientists study how good fires 

provide environmental and social benefits and how these fires reduce the occurrence and 

impact of uncontrolled wildland fires and wildfires.

Produced by

FIND Outdoors

Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture

Production Staff

Jessica Nickelsen, FIND Outdoors

Babs McDonald, Forest Service Volunteer

Michelle Andrews, University of Georgia

Bradi McDonald, FIND Outdoors

Nissa McKinney, FIND Outdoors

Stephanie Pfeiffer Rossow, Illustrator

FIND Outdoors

Harry R. “Tad” Fogel, Chairperson

Natalie Britt, Executive Director

Adam DeWitte, Director of Education

Forest Service

Victoria Christiansen, Chief

Alexander L. Friend, Deputy Chief, Research and 

Development

Patricia Hirami, Acting Deputy Chief, State and Private 

Forestry

Tinelle Bustam, Acting Director, Conservation Education

Heidi McAllister, Assistant Director, Conservation Education

Gwen Beavans, National Fire Prevention Program 

Manager, State and Private Forestry

Wendy Zirngibl, Acting Staff Director, Knowledge 

Management & Communications

Sharon Parker, Program Manager, Science Synthesis, 

Knowledge Management & Communications

Fire Scientist Coloring Book
Some botanists study the ways that good fires 

Some botanists study the ways that good fires help wildflowers to grow in the forest.

help wildflowers to grow in the forest.
Some dendrologists study how fire helps 

longleaf pine forests to stay healthy.

Some dendrologists study how fire helps 

longleaf pine forests to stay healthy.
Some fire scientists study how good fires help to reduce the 

chance of big wildland fires from burning out of control.
Some wildlife biologists study the ways that good fires 

provide healthier homes for deer and other forest animals.
Some plant physiologists study how good fires help 

foresters to plant and grow healthy new forests. Some plant physiologists study how good fires help 

foresters to plant and grow healthy new forests.
Some social scientists study how outdoor 

recreation is improved by good fires.
Some soil scientists study the ways 

that good fires improve forest soils. 

Some soil scientists study the ways that 

good fires improve forest soils.
Some ecologists study how good fires can 

protect homes and other buildings from wildfires.

30m Buer
Some plant physiologists study how good fires help 

foresters to plant and grow healthy new forests.

Some forest pathologists study how good 

fires help to reduce forest tree diseases.
Some hydrologists study how good fires help 

improve the quality of water in forest streams.
Some grassland ecologists study the ways that 

good fires improve grasslands for grazing animals.
Fire-related science helps to keep 

forests and grasslands healthy.

Fire-related science helps to keep forests 

and grasslands healthy.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, 

the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public 

assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity 

conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 

program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 

audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, 

found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to 

USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 

(866) 632-9992.Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the 

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-

7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. 

Who is FIND Outdoors?

Formerly the Cradle of Forestry in America 

Interpretive Association, FIND Outdoors is a 

re-imagined 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based 

in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. We are the 

Southeast’s leader in providing access to public 

lands, environmental education, recreation, and 

front country camping experiences. We maintain 

and operate 21 recreation, education, and 

camping facilities across western NC, northern 

GA, and beyond — serving approximately 

800,000 visitors each year with over 150 

recreational and environmental education 

programs, special events and tours. 

Our story is rooted in education about the forest. 

Our passion is to help people become inspired. 

Our goal is to help people connect with nature. 

Our drive is to help people learn through 

discovery.

We help people...FIND Outdoors

We are...FIND Outdoors

For more information: 

http://www.goFINDoutdoors.org

What is the Forest Service? 

The Forest Service is part of the United States 

Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Forest 

Service is made up of thousands of people who 

care for the Nation’s forest land. The Forest 

Service manages 154 national forests and 20 

national grasslands. These are large areas of 

trees, streams, and grasslands. National forests 

are similar in some ways to national parks. Both 

are public lands, meaning they are owned by 

the public and managed for the public’s use and 

benefit. Both national forests and national parks 

provide clean water, homes for the animals that 

live in the wild, and places for people to do fun 

things in the outdoors. National forests also 

provide resources for people to use, such as 

trees for lumber, minerals, and plants used for 

medicines. Some people in the Forest Service 

are scientists whose work is presented in the 

journal. Forest Service scientists work to solve 

problems and provide new information about 

natural resources so that we can make sure our 

natural environment is healthy, now and into the 

future.

For more information: 

http://www.fs.fed.us
Web Resources 

Natural Inquirer:

http://www.naturalinquirer.org

U.S. Forest Service:

http://www.fs.fed.us

Federal recreation and camping information: 

http://www.recreation.gov 

U. S. Forest Service Fire Science: 

https://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/fire-research

National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center:

https://www.fws.gov/fire/pftc/

National Interagency Fire Center:

https://www.nifc.gov/policies/policies_main.html

Smokey Bear:

https://www.smokeybear.com/en

Web Resources 

1DWXUDO,QTXLUHU

KWWSZZZQDWXUDOLQTXLUHURUJ

86)RUHVW6HUYLFH

KWWSZZZIVIHGXV

Federal recreation and camping information: 

KWWSZZZUHFUHDWLRQJRY

86)RUHVW6HUYLFH)LUH6FLHQFH

KWWSVZZZIVIHGXVVFLHQFHWHFKQRORJ\¿UH¿UHUHVHDUFK

1DWLRQDO,QWHUDJHQF\3UHVFULEHG)LUH7UDLQLQJ&HQWHU

KWWSVZZZIZVJRY¿UHSIWF

1DWLRQDO,QWHUDJHQF\)LUH&HQWHU

KWWSVZZZQLIFJRYSROLFLHVSROLFLHVBPDLQKWPO