Living with fire

Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Geography, Blackheath area

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Overview

Staff from Metro South West and Blue Mountains regions undertaking the Pisgah Ridge hazard reduction burn near Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: David Croft © David Croft/DPIE

Smoke from an aerial incediary drop for the Byadbo stockyards hazard reduction burn at Emu Flat. Photo: Ian Dicker © DPIE

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Stage 3 Geography Living with fire Blue Mountains National Park

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Learn about the Black Summer fires as they happened in the Blue Mountains in 2020. In this Stage 3 Geography excursion, we look at different approaches to preventing and managing fires, and how these approaches are applied.

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Students will take a guided bushwalk with a Discovery Ranger and be introduced to the factors that combined to create our worst ever fire season.

We will observe the impacts in the landscape and explore the more personal impacts of the Black Summer fires. We look at fire practices of First Nations people, and of other organisations such as National Parks and local government. How do different groups work together to address the threat of fire? What are the responsibilities of residents and all Australians to stay safe? These and other questions will be explored in this experiential excursion. An optional additional session with an Indigenous Ranger is available, to explore links between fire and culture more deeply.

This session is designed to support the Factors that Shape Places syllabus.

For program outline, safety and practical information about this excursion, see info for teachers

Stage	Stage 3 (Years 5-6)
Learning area	Geography
Student outcomes	GE3-1. Describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments GE3-2. Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-3. Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments GE3-4. Acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry
Objectives	Students will: Use a topographic map to learn about the unique features of the Blue Mountains, and how these features contributed to risk of catastrophic fire. Observe and discuss the physical impacts of the fires on the landscape, plants and animals of the Blue Mountains. Explore Indigenous approaches to the use of fire for land management. Examine the ways various organisations act to prevent, manage and repair impacts of fire. Understand the responsibilities of ordinary citizens in living alongside the threat of major fires.

Excursion details

When: Monday to Friday during school term.
Where: Blackheath area in Blue Mountains National Park in Sydney and surrounds, Country NSW
Duration: 2hrs 30min
Grading: Easy
Price: Prices start from $395 incl GST per group (up to 20 students).
Accessibility: Easy
Meeting point: Blackheath: Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath
Other locations by request
Equipment provided: Yes
Booking: If you would like to organise a NPWS school excursion please get in touch with local staff or use the 'Enquire' link for the online form.

Operated by

School excursion inquiries - Blue Mountains
02 4784 7301 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
BlueMtns.Education@environment.nsw.gov.au

Park info

in the Blackheath area of Blue Mountains National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Blackheath area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

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