OREGON, Ohio — Clay High School will conduct a controlled burn on school property Tuesday, the district said in a message to parents, and assured that there was no need for concern.
According to the message, the controlled burn will occur at approximately 2:45 p.m. under the guidance of the fire department. It is a project funded by the Oregon Schools Foundation in an effort to provide students with what the district described as a "simulated real-world crime scene and fire scenario" and to further the students' science education.
The experiment will feature two burn pods built by students, placed into two 8x8x8 rooms with finished drywall and furnished with household items. The pods will them be set on fire.
In a Facebook post, the district said students will make presentations about each of the pods after the controlled burns. They will be expected to justify their arguments with evidence.
The demonstration will occur behind the stadium using burn pods. The district said residents may see black smoke, but stated there would be no need for concern.
In addition to forensic and demonstration purposes, controlled burns are also often used by ecologists to simulate wildfires - a necessary part of renewing an ecosystem. According to Metroparks Toledo, prescribed burns safely improve the natural biodiversity of a forest and enrich the soil.
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