Minnesota Firewise in the Classroom 

GIS 4 Schools provides technical support to The Minnesota DNR Firewise in the Classroom Project. Firewise in the Classroom introduces students to Geographic Information Technology (GIT) through a series of lessons that show students how to use GIT to help protect their homes and community from the threat of Wildfire or other natural or man-made disasters. Firewise in the Classroom is accessed via the Internet allowing teachers to conduct a Firewise Project using MACs or PC computers. Over 110 teachers have attended Firewise training sessions.

West Virginia Firewise in the Classroom 

West Virginia Firewise in the Classroom is modeled after Minnesota’s Firewise in the Classroom curriculum.  GIS 4 Schools developed an interactive GIS application that allows students at any school in West Virginia conduct a Geographic analysis of the risk of wildfire in their community. With the assistance of GIS 4 Schools, students at Hedgesville High School have completed over 2000 Level 1 Risk Assessments in five communities in West Virginia and have taken five field trips to The Woods Resort to assess homes in Sections identified as “High Risk” areas.  In all over 700 Level 2 Wildfire Hazard Assessments have been completed. 

Other Firewise Resource Links:

National Firewise Homepage:  http://www.firewise.org

Minnesota Firewise Tips and ideas 

Firewise Minnesota 

Firewise Virginia 

Firewise West Virginia