Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire (Time Warp Monograph Series) – Vol. 1 No. 14
Scientists explore if and how climate and weather are connected to very large wildland fires to help predict and prepare for future events. This monograph is part of the Time Warp monograph series which pairs current research with historical research.
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Highlights
- Part of the Time Warp Series
- 3 Scientists
- 3 Activities
- Glossary
- Spotlight: Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
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In this article, scientists explore if and how climate and weather are connected to very large wildland fires to help predict and prepare for future events.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: Is Climate Connected to Very Large Wildland Fires?
In this article, scientists explore if and how climate and weather are connected to very large wildland fires to help predict and prepare for future events.
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Results from “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” showed that specific climate conditions were linked to very large wildland fires. The link was most clear when analyzing biophysical observations. These biophysical...
FACTivity – Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Results from “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” showed that specific climate conditions were linked to very large wildland fires. The link was most clear when analyzing biophysical observations. These biophysical... -
Try this vocabulary word challenge. Fill out the provided graphic organizer answering questions about a glossary term.
My Word! Challenge – Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Try this vocabulary word challenge. Fill out the provided graphic organizer answering questions about a glossary term. -
Try out the eyeChallenge after reading “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire.” Each of the following images represents something from the article. Explain what each of these images represents. You may...
eyeChallenge – Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Try out the eyeChallenge after reading “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire.” Each of the following images represents something from the article. Explain what each of these images represents. You may...
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As you have learned in the “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” Introduction section, wildland fire is an important research topic. Forest Service scientists have long been interested in wildland fire....
Spotlight – Time Warp for Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
As you have learned in the “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” Introduction section, wildland fire is an important research topic. Forest Service scientists have long been interested in wildland fire.... -
In 1908, the Forest Service established a system of experimental forests and ranges (EFRs) to be set aside for environmental research. Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest in Alaska is one of...
Spotlight – Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
In 1908, the Forest Service established a system of experimental forests and ranges (EFRs) to be set aside for environmental research. Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest in Alaska is one of...
Glossary
View All Glossaryaccumulation
(ə kyü m(y)ə lā shən): The act of collecting or gathering.
accumulation
(ə kyü m(y)ə lā shən): The act of collecting or gathering.
adapt
(ǝ dapt): To change so as to fit a new or specific use or situation.
analyze
(a nǝ līz): To study or find out the nature and relationship of the parts of something.
analyze
(a nǝ līz): To study or find out the nature and relationship of the parts of something.
biophysical
(bī ō fi zi kǝl): Living and nonliving parts of the environment, such as soil or moisture, that influence organisms or natural events.
boreal
(bȯr ē ǝl): Of, relating to, or located or growing in northern or mountainous regions, characterized especially by dominance of coniferous forests.
climate
(klī mǝt): The average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years.
climate
(klī mǝt): The average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years.
criteria
(krī tir ē ə): (singular: criterion) A standard on which a judgment or decision may be based.
drought
(drau̇t): A long period of dry weather.
encompass
(in kǝm pəs): To include or surround.
hypothetical
(hī pə the ti kəl): (1) Imagined as an example for further thought; (2) assumed.
hypothetical
(hī pə the ti kəl): (1) Imagined as an example for further thought; (2) assumed.
influence
(in flü ǝn(t)s): To affect something.
longitudinal
(län jə tüd nəl): Involving the repeated observation of a set of subjects over time with respect to one or more study variables.
longitudinal
(län jə tüd nəl): Involving the repeated observation of a set of subjects over time with respect to one or more study variables.
model
(mä dǝl): (noun): (1) Type or kind; (2) a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs.
(verb): To make a simplified copy or representation of something to help aid understanding.
predict
(pre dikt): Foretell (or tell in advance) on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason.
predict
(pre dikt): Foretell (or tell in advance) on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason.
prescribed fire
(pri skrībd fī ǝr): The controlled use of fire under specific weather conditions to restore health to an ecosystem that depends on fire; also known as a prescribed burn or controlled burn.
propulsion
(prǝ pǝl shǝn): The process of driving or propelling forward.
statistics
(stə tis tiks): The branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data.
suppress
(sǝ pres): To slow or stop the growth or development of.
variable
(ver ē ə bəl): (1) A factor, trait, or condition that can be changed or controlled; (2) a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values.
wildland fire
(wī(-ə)l(d) land fī(-e)r): A fire that occurs in an area of land that is uncultivated or undeveloped by humans.
wildland fire
(wī(-ə)l(d) land fī(-e)r): A fire that occurs in an area of land that is uncultivated or undeveloped by humans.
Classroom Review Board
Afterschool Adventures
- Mount St. Helens Institute and McLoughlin Middle School
- Vancouver, WA
Taylor Feldman, Outdoor Programs Coordinator

Editorial Review Board Comments
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John Abatzoglou
Climatologist
My favorite science experience is exploring the large amount of historical weather and climate data. I also like to look at climate data from models. I use the climate data...View Profile -
Natasha Stavros
Research Scientist
My favorite science experience is learning about fire and its role in the earth sciences. Fire has touched my life in a personal way because I grew up in Southern...View Profile -
E. Ashley Steel
Quantitative Ecologist | Statistician
“I have so many favorite science experiences! One cool science experience was when I was standing right in the middle of the Snoqualmie River. I was thinking about how my...View Profile
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.

What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.

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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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This lesson plan encourages students to think about a particular research topic across time, including past, present, and future. Students will compare and contrast the historical research with a more...
Lesson Plan – Time Warp Monograph Series
This lesson plan encourages students to think about a particular research topic across time, including past, present, and future. Students will compare and contrast the historical research with a more... -
This lesson plan introduces students to the important components of a simple newspaper article and then has students write a newspaper article sharing information from a Natural Inquirer article. This...
Lesson Plan – Newspaper Article
This lesson plan introduces students to the important components of a simple newspaper article and then has students write a newspaper article sharing information from a Natural Inquirer article. This...
Project Learning Tree
If you are a trained Project Learning Tree educator, you may use “Living With Fire” and “Rain Reasons” as additional resources.
Related Resources from The Natural Inquirer
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The messages of Smokey Bear have spread across the globe. Today, Smokey continues to teach people of all ages about the importance of preventing wildfires. Just how effective is Smokey’s...
A Burning Question – Vol. 1 No. 19
The messages of Smokey Bear have spread across the globe. Today, Smokey continues to teach people of all ages about the importance of preventing wildfires. Just how effective is Smokey’s... -
This edition of the Natural Inquirer is all about wildland fire. You will learn about the benefits of wildland fire, as well as some of its dangers. You will learn...
Wildland Fire – Vol. 4 No. 1
This edition of the Natural Inquirer is all about wildland fire. You will learn about the benefits of wildland fire, as well as some of its dangers. You will learn... -
This journal focuses on wildland fire. Wildland fire is any fire occurring in vegetation areas, regardless of how it was started. In this edition, you will learn about different types...
Wildland Fire 2 – Vol. 13 No. 1
This journal focuses on wildland fire. Wildland fire is any fire occurring in vegetation areas, regardless of how it was started. In this edition, you will learn about different types... -
The “Knock on Wood” monograph explores the relationship between carbon, fire, longleaf pine, and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Also learn about the gopher tortoise!
Knock on Wood – Vol. 1 No. 21
The “Knock on Wood” monograph explores the relationship between carbon, fire, longleaf pine, and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Also learn about the gopher tortoise!
Additional Resources
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"Seeing the risk before the flames: Modeling big-picture wildfire risk"
Learn more about a tool the Forest Service is using to model wildfire risk and allocate their resources accordingly.Read Article -
NOAA: 2024 Climate Literacy Guide
Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change presents information that is important for individuals and communities to know and understand about Earth’s climate, the impacts of climate change, and solutions. Principles in the guide can serve as discussion starters or launching points for learning about the climate crisis and what’s being done to address it across the world. The guide aims to promote greater climate literacy by providing this educational and communication framework of principles and concepts.Visit Website -
USDA Forest Service: Conservation Education
Through Conservation Education, the Forest Service provides a variety of educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and our nation’s forests and grasslands. Through these hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, students, educators, and parents can explore how to become a responsible steward of our natural resources. There are also a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.Visit Website -
FIND Outdoors
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. Through forest-inspired nature discovery, we help people FIND Outdoors.Visit Website