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A lightning bolt crashes towards the densely crowded Ponderosa Pine forest, striking the two hundred year old pine that fell victim of the bark beetle attack. The tree ignites into flames, and soon starts to spread and burn all of the other trees in the forest. By the time fire fighters arrive, time is limited to save whatever trees they can, and avoid the massive flames that are approaching them. This may sound like a real scenario, but it is actually the instructions to a fourth grade level game of "Fire Tag". The game is meant to provide one possibility firefighters face during a wildland fire.
Fire games, PowerPoint presentations, interpretive hikes, forest thinning projects, county fairs, Smokey Bear visits, classroom presentations, and summer camps are just a few of the outreach events that Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern, Jenny Jackson, participated in during a Summer 2005 internship at the Flagstaff Area National Monuments. The group of monuments, which includes Wupatki NM, Sunset Crater NM, and Walnut Canyon
NM provided Jenny with experience as a Fire Education Specialist. She provided the park and public with wildfire information and education about what they could do to improve the health of the forest and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The public had many questions and concerns about wildfire and Jenny was able to assist in responding to those.
The SCA intern position is especially important in the Ponderosa Pine forests surrounding the Flagstaff, Arizona area, where drought, bark beetle, and fire suppression have weakened the health of the forest. Where fires once frequented the area every 3-15 years, they have been suppressed for the last one hundred and fifty years. Where there used to be about forty strong and healthy old growth trees per acre of land, there are now thousands. The forest floor that was once clear of debris is now covered in foot deep duff and dead organic material. The threat for catastrophic fire is now higher than ever, and the need for education is now more important than ever.
Jenny's six month internship has led to many successes in the Flagstaff area. She contacted over 1,500 people through talks, hikes, and presentations, as well as thousands who were hit with a flash of fire education at events such as the Coconino Country Fair and Fourth of July parade. She had an article published in the National Park Service Ancient Times newsletter, and her involvement with the Junior Foresters Academy was featured on National Public Radio (NPR). Jenny also presented several campground programs, provided more than ten interpretive hikes, participated in over fifteen community events, worked with several schools within the community, and even went on the fireline as a firefighter. Her involvement within the community led to many interagency connections as well as a great deal of networking. The parks have greatly benefited from Jenny's contributions as an intern.
Contact: John Bland
Phone: (928) 526-0502 |
