PPS Sci6-8. Analyzing the Rise of Wildfires

Last updated over 5 years ago

20 questions

Note from the author:

This formative was based on the lesson plan called Analyzing the Rise of US Wildfires. (https://ourclimateourfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ACE-Analyzing-Rise-of-US-Wildfires-Lesson-Plan.pdf).   It is meant to be a supplemental lesson so teachers can tie real-time science to the classroom. 

PPS Sci6-8. Analyzing the Rise of Wildfires

PPS Sci6-8. Analyzing the Rise of Wildfires

Analyzing the Rise of U.S. Wildfires

What pattern do you notice in the global temperature anamoly graph? Use words/arrows to support the pattern you decribe.

What are different factors you observe to be the cause of wildfires in this video?

How did the recent fires in Oregon impact you and your family?

In what four years did the US experience the largest temperature anomaly above normal since 1983? How many degrees above normal did the US experience in those years?

Referring to the data table above that shows how many millions of acres were burned in the United States between 1983 and 2015. In what four years did the US experience the largest amount of land burned from wildfires? How many acres of land were burned in those years?

ProcedureUsing the data in Data Table 1, graph the Acres of Land Burned in the years 1983 to 2015. Note: Data on the US Surface Temperature from 1983 to 2015 is already plotted on this graph. Your graph will overlay the existing data.

There are three variables in this double y-axis graph. What are the dependent variable(s)?

There are three variables in this double y-axis graph. What are the independent variable(s)?

What is one advantage of using double y-axis graphs?

What overall pattern in the data do you see between US Surface Temperature Anomaly and Acres of Land Burned (Millions of Acres) on the graph that you created? Use words and arrows to explain the patterns that you see.

Based on the trends you see in the graphs, what do you expect to happen to the overall amount of land burned by wildfires in the US in the future?

In the future, what season do scientist predict that Oregon will see less rain?

For the season that Oregon will see less rain, what is the percent of preciptiation change we might see?

In what season will the entire state see more rain? What is the percent of precipitation change we might see?

And those fires are larger.

What evidence do you see in the two graphs above to support the claim that the number of wildfires and the size of wildfires vary from year to year?

How is climate change is impacting the amount of forest area that has burned with and without climate change?

Between the years 1985 and 2015, how many years has the cost of wildfires cost $800,000,000 ($800 million) or more?

What are 3 possible health effects of wildfires?

What are some ways people can reduce impacts of wildfires?

Analyzing the Rise of U.S. Wildfires

What pattern do you notice in the global temperature anamoly graph? Use words/arrows to support the pattern you decribe.

What are different factors you observe to be the cause of wildfires in this video?

How did the recent fires in Oregon impact you and your family?

In what four years did the US experience the largest temperature anomaly above normal since 1983? How many degrees above normal did the US experience in those years?

Referring to the data table above that shows how many millions of acres were burned in the United States between 1983 and 2015. In what four years did the US experience the largest amount of land burned from wildfires? How many acres of land were burned in those years?

ProcedureUsing the data in Data Table 1, graph the Acres of Land Burned in the years 1983 to 2015. Note: Data on the US Surface Temperature from 1983 to 2015 is already plotted on this graph. Your graph will overlay the existing data.

There are three variables in this double y-axis graph. What are the dependent variable(s)?

There are three variables in this double y-axis graph. What are the independent variable(s)?

What is one advantage of using double y-axis graphs?

What overall pattern in the data do you see between US Surface Temperature Anomaly and Acres of Land Burned (Millions of Acres) on the graph that you created? Use words and arrows to explain the patterns that you see.

Based on the trends you see in the graphs, what do you expect to happen to the overall amount of land burned by wildfires in the US in the future?

In the future, what season do scientist predict that Oregon will see less rain?

For the season that Oregon will see less rain, what is the percent of preciptiation change we might see?

In what season will the entire state see more rain? What is the percent of precipitation change we might see?

And those fires are larger.

What evidence do you see in the two graphs above to support the claim that the number of wildfires and the size of wildfires vary from year to year?

How is climate change is impacting the amount of forest area that has burned with and without climate change?

Between the years 1985 and 2015, how many years has the cost of wildfires cost $800,000,000 ($800 million) or more?

What are 3 possible health effects of wildfires?

What are some ways people can reduce impacts of wildfires?

Procedure
Using the data in Data Table 1, graph the Acres of Land Burned in the years 1983 to 2015.
Note: Data on the US Surface Temperature from 1983 to 2015 is already plotted on this graph. Your graph will overlay the existing data.

Procedure
Using the data in Data Table 1, graph the Acres of Land Burned in the years 1983 to 2015.
Note: Data on the US Surface Temperature from 1983 to 2015 is already plotted on this graph. Your graph will overlay the existing data.