Teacher instructions

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Tune in: The fire triangle model

10 minutes

Find out: The three requirements for fire

30 minutes

Take action: Is the model accurate?

10 minutes

Reflection

Please make sure to read the About Cool Burning Fact Sheet.

Tune In: The fire triangle model

Step 1.

Show students the edited image below (also available here: Fire Triangle Image - no labels):

Explain: The fire triangle model of understanding fire is used to explain the three requirements to start and sustain a fire.

Discuss: What do you think the three requirements might be?

Find Out: The three requirements for fire

Step 1.

Watch:

The problems of hot burns - https://vimeo.com/79474010

Step 2.

Discuss:

What are some differences between cool and hot fires?
What are some problems with hot fires?
Do people benefit from the use of fire?
What are some safety issues surrounding the use of fire?

Step 3.

Explain:

Cool burns are a land management technique. Started soon after the wet season, before the grass completely dries out, cool burns do not damage plants, seeds or animals to any significant extent. During a cool burn, the grasses on the ground burn slowly, allowing most of the small animals to escape. Seedlings, green grass, tree trunks and fallen logs are not burnt or damaged. The rising heat from the burning grass usually won’t singe the eucalyptus leaves above. Overnight, the cool moisture in the air will put out any remaining fires before the morning.

Hot burns are those that we associate with bushfires like the ones experienced in the recent Black Summer fire season (2019/20). In these circumstances the fire burns at a high temperature, seriously damaging or even destroying vegetation, and burning out of control for many days or even weeks.

The practice of cool burning has been used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for many thousands of years. However, in recent years, scientists from around the world have become more and more interested in these practices as one way of managing devastating bushfires.

Step 4. Explain:

The fire triangle model of understanding fire is used to explain the three requirements to start and sustain a fire. These three things are:

A source of heat is required to start and sustain a fire
A source of fuel is needed to burn
An adequate supply of oxygen is needed for a burning/chemical reaction.

Image also available here: Fire Triangle Image.

More information about fire can be found on the Fire Factsheet.

Step 5.

A candle can be used to demonstrate the fire triangle.

Discuss: When a candle is burnt:

What is the fuel?
Where does the heat come from?
Where does the oxygen come from?

Step 6. Discuss:

The fire triangle is used by firefighters in countries like Australia and the USA to explain how fires work. They say if one of these three elements is not present then there can’t be a fire. Do you think this is true? How can we test this?

Take Action: Explaining the model

Step 1. Independently, students create a communication piece, such as a poster or comic strip, designed to explain to a person living in a grassfire or bushfire risk area what the fire triangle means. The piece should include: students' own representation of the fire triangle image an explanation of each of the three requirements for fire example of each of these three requirements in an urban and bush setting an explanation or demonstration of what would happen if a fire lacked one of these three elements a call to action asking people to clear their properties and homes of excess fuel before bushfire season.

Reflection

As a class, share your presentations.

Teacher Reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching:

• What worked well?
• What didn't work well?
• What would you share?
• Where to next?
• How are you going to get there?

The Fire Triangle Model (Primary)

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