Name__________________________________________________________Date______________

In Partnership With
Bee a Fire Scientist Coloring Book

Have you ever known something that is sometimes bad and is sometimes good? For 

example, shoving your friend is usually not a good thing to do. If you are protecting your 

friend from a ball being thrown in their direction, then shoving your friend is a good 

thing to do. Shoving can be bad or good. This coloring book is about something that is 

sometimes bad and sometimes good.

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

they use controlled fires, foresters 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.

You might have heard about wildfires. Wildfires are uncontrolled wildland forest and 

prairie fires. Prairies are large areas of wild grasses. These wildland fires may cause damage 

to homes and other buildings. Some wildland fires, however, are needed by many natural 

areas to remain healthy.

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 benefits and how these fires reduce the impact of 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

Nickola Dudley, 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
Some fire scientists study how good fires are used to 

protect homes and other buildings from wildfires.
Some fire scientists study the ways that good fires help 

wildflowers to grow in the forest.
Some fire scientists 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 fire scientists study the ways that good fires provide 

healthier homes for deer and other forest animals.
Some fire scientists study how outdoor recreation 

is improved by good fires.
Some fire scientists study the ways that 

good fires improve forest soils.
Some fire scientists study how good fires help 

to reduce forest tree diseases. 
Some fire scientists study how good fires help foresters 

to plant and grow healthy new forests.
Some fire scientists study how good fires help improve 

the quality of water in forest streams.
Some fire scientists study the ways that good fires 

improve grasslands for grazing animals.
a-mazed at science!

Help the bee 

find its way to 

a good fire!

Finish

Start
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. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

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. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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 more than 150 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 

thinks 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 Natural Inquirer journals. 

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.

http://www.fs.fed.us

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

goFINDoutdoors.org
Web Resources:

Natural Inquirer

http://www.naturalinquirer.org

Discover the Forest

http://www.discovertheforest.org

Descubre el Bosque

http://www.descubreelbosque.org

Federal Recreation and Camping Information 

http://www.recreation.gov

Forest Service Fire Page 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire

Smokey Bear

https://www.smokeybear.com/en

Every Kid Outdoors 

https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

USDA Forest Service Fire-related Education Resources 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conservationeducation/about/education-themes/wildland-fire