The kids from the Cassidy School in Philadelphia graciously welcomed me to their classroom today, even though I am not a smoke jumper. They were reading about these wildland firefighters last week and invited me to come to talk about our fire program. We use prescribed fire to manage some meadows and serpentine barrens on Natural Lands Trust preserves.
I recently realized I have participated in 51 prescribed fires for Natural Lands Trust over the last twelve years, and was happy to share my experiences and demonstrate the tools and required personal protective equipment.
I put on the Nomex jumpsuit which, though washed, still smells of smoke and has a few holes from embers. The kids' questions were sharp and covered most of the concerns a wildland firefighter would have about personal safety, fire behavior, smoke management near public roads, how to put fire out, and how nature responds to fire.
The William Penn District 17 of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Forestry generously provided Smokey Bear rulers, stickers, and bookmarks. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet these kids!
