Teachable Moments: The Science of Wildfires

Once again, it’s fire season in the western United States with many citizens finding themselves shrouded in wildfire smoke. Late summer in the west brings heat, low humidity and wind – optimal conditions for fire. These critical conditions have resulted in the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest fire in California's recorded history. Burning concurrently in California are numerous other wildfires, including the Carr fire, the 12th largest in California history.

Because of their prevalence and effects on a wide population, wildfires will remain a seasonal teachable moment for decades to come. Check out the information and lessons below to help students learn how NASA scientists use technology to monitor and learn about fires and their impacts.

• Earth Observatory fire images
• Image: "Carr Fire and Mendocino Complex"
• Image: "Smoke Plumes Tower Over California"
• JPL News: "NASA’s MISR Views Raging Fires in California"
• NASA Climate Change News: "Local Winds Play a Key Role in Some Megafires
• NASA Climate Change News: "Studying Weather to Help See the Likelihood of Fires"

Original post by Ota Lutz (a STEM elementary and secondary education specialist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory)