Summer of FIRE: 1988
Yellowstone National Park
What’s so hot about Yellowstone?
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Yellowstone has more
geysers, hot springs and
other geothermal areas
than any other place in
the world!
Some of Yellowstone’s Natural
Wonders: Mud Pots and Geysers
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Yellowstone has a plethora of
incredible wildlife, such as Wolves…
….Bison…
…Elk….
And Grizzly Bears!
Yellowstone’s landscape
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Yellowstone encompasses over 2.2 million
acres!
Beyond the thermal pools, there are acres
of evergreen trees, a mighty canyon, lakes,
waterfalls, and rivers.
What happened in the summer of
1988?
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Severe drought plagued much of the United
States, including the area around
Yellowstone.
When lightening struck in June, the land
was so dry, a fire began quickly and easily.
Park policy was to allow fires to burn.
WHY DO YOU THINK THIS WAS
POLICY?
Park Fire Policy
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If a forest fire does not threaten people or
property, then it is allowed to burn.
This is because fire can actually help the
environment. It allows for regeneration and
new growth in forests.
Not your typical summer
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Most summers in
Yellowstone see plenty
of rain.
Park officials did not
anticipate that the fire
would not be naturally
controlled by
precipitation!
When it was all over…
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Rain and snow finally
stopped the advance
of the fire in
September.
Over 793,000 acres
were burned.
About 300 large
mammals perished.
Legacy of the Fire
Slowly the forest comes to life again!
Interesting Facts
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The summer of 1988 was the driest in the
Park's recorded history.
$120 million was spent and 25,000 people
participated in this firefighting effort, the
largest in U.S. history.
This huge effort saved human life and
property, but had little impact on the fires
themselves.
Vocabulary
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Geyser
Veered
Canopy
Tinder
Dwindled
Embers
Policy
Geyser
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A natural spring that shoots up a fountain of
hot water or steam
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Webcam of Old Faithful Geyser
Veered
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Shifted or changed direction
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As the wind veered, the Mayflower drifted
north toward Plymouth.
Canopy
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Any covering
overhead, such as a
tree
Tinder
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Anything dry that will
easily catch fire on
contact with a spark
Dwindled
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Became Steadily
smaller or less: shrank
Embers
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Something no longer
in flames by still
glowing
Policy
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A plan or method of action or conduct
If a forest fire does not threaten people or
property, then it is allowed to burn.
This is because fire can actually help the
environment. It allows for regeneration
and new growth in forests.
Grammar: Pronouns and Antecedents
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Pronoun Clubhouse
Mixed up Pronouns
Graphic Aids and Text Structure
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Test Tutor