Smokey Bear Fire Prevention School Visit

Education about the natural role of fire and the prevention of unwanted wildland fires is becoming increasingly important as communities encroach on wildland areas. In April 2015, the BLM’s Vale District Fire Prevention Tech, Madeline Fischer and a certain special friend (Smokey Bear) spent time educating Vale Elementary School (Vale, Oregon) second graders on how to prevent wildfires.
Nationally, arson and debris burning are the leading causes of wildfires in the wildland/urban interface. Education and enforcement is key to prevention of these types of fires. It is also key to a better understanding of the benefits of prescribed and natural fire. Wildfire prevention education includes those activities that are aimed at changing people's behavior by increasing their awareness and understanding of the issues.
More information on BLM’s fire program in Oregon/Washington is available online at:
blm.gov/x8ld