Forest fires have become a regular summertime occurrence in North America, sparking debate about the proper role of fire on the land. The following websites examine fires and fire ecology in different ecosystems, regions, and time periods. The first site (1), from the USGS-Western Ecological Research Center shares information about fire ecology research in the California shrublands, Sierra Nevada...

The Natural Inquirer offers a fun way to learn about the research conducted by scientists with the USDA Forest Service. Online since 1998, The Natural Inquirer is written with middle school students in mind. Each issue may be downloaded or ordered free of charge and includes discussion questions and learning activities that help students and teachers make the most of the articles. The Web site...

Studies examining the use of fire by Native Americans prior to European arrival in North America have received a considerable amount of attention in recent years. This website contains a sizeable collection of references addressing this subject, and was compiled in 2001 by Dr. Gerald W. Williams, an Historical Analyst for the US Forest Service. Dr. Williams introduces the references as "part of...