NAme: ______

Rancho Sierra Vista National Park Fieldtrip Assignment

Read the article, “Wildland Fire Management in the 20th Century,” and answer the questions below.

  1. What is “prescribed fire” and explain why they Indians used this.
  1. Describe the point of view the white settlers had on fire.
  1. What did Chief Greeley, the third Chief of the Forest Service, say was the number one job of America foresters?
  1. Describe “light burning” and how the forestry professionals felt about it.
  1. Who symbolized the national campaign against forest fires in World War II, and what was his famous slogan?
  1. List two things that are considered hazardous to firefighters.
  1. In the 1960s and 1970s, how had views on fire changed?
  1. List at least 5 benefits of fire use.
  1. In 1995, explain how fire plays a role in restoring forests to health.

Read the PowerPoint on “Chaparral,” and answer the questions below.

  1. Describe chaparral.
  1. Why do some people feel chaparral should be removed in areas where it’s close to houses?
  1. What are the risks of removing chaparral?
  1. How does fire benefit the chaparral?

Reflection. Answer the questions below AFTER the field trip. (If you did NOT go one the fieldrip you must research to answer these questions).

  1. a) What do you remember about the May 2013 fire in Newbury Park?

b) Why has there been virtually no succession at Rancho Sierra Vista National Park since this fire?

  1. Create a chart that shows the benefits and risks of fire suppression.
  1. Write a short paragraph explaining your opinion on controlled fire burns in Southern California. Be sure to consider all benefits and risks, as well as the wildland-urban interface before forming your opinion. Discuss why you feel this way.
  1. Go to our class google doc, type in your name and write 2-3 sentences about what you learned on this field trip. You must sign in to your school learn/google account. Link for google doc 
  2. If you took pictures on the trip:
    a) please post one with your name on the class google doc. (2 ways to do this)
  3. 1) there is a goggle doc app where you can just send the pic to the doc
  4. 2) email it to yourself anddrag it to the google doc from a computer

b) please remember to upload your pics for the National Park Services so we can help them track the
recovery! Post to Twitter and flickr using #springsfire08 or email the photos to

* You can view a time-lapse of the recovery, which may include your photos at