Bushfire Risk Mapping with ArcGIS Public Layers (Years 7–10 Geography)

Introduction

Bushfire risk is a significant part of Australia’s environmental landscape, and helping students understand how hazards are mapped is essential for building geographical literacy. ArcGIS Online offers a range of public, no‑login‑required layers that show vegetation, slope, population density and fire history across Australia. These layers are ideal for Years 7–10 Geography teachers wanting to introduce spatial technologies without requiring student accounts or complex software. The resource is grounded in real Australian data, making it highly relevant and authentic.

The range of resources/arcyiels available from the home page. 

How to Use It in the Classroom

Teachers can guide students through an inquiry into bushfire risk by overlaying different datasets to identify hazard zones. Students can compare two regions, analyse why certain areas are more vulnerable, and propose mitigation strategies. This activity builds spatial reasoning, data interpretation and critical thinking. It also supports cross‑curricular links with Science (ecosystems, climate) and Civics (emergency management). Because the tool is visual and interactive, it works well for differentiation, students can work at different levels of complexity depending on the layers they explore.

Five practical tips, tricks and ideas for the classroom

• Start with a teacher‑curated map to reduce cognitive load for beginners
• Use the “Swipe” tool to compare pre‑ and post‑fire satellite imagery
• Have students annotate screenshots for assessment
• Pair students to analyse two contrasting regions (e.g., Adelaide Hills vs. Perth Hills)
• Use real news articles to connect mapping to current events

Australian Curriculum Connections

• AC9HG7K03 – Causes, impacts and responses to environmental changes
• AC9HG8K03 – Causes and consequences of natural hazards
• AC9HG7S03 – Collect, record and represent geographical data using spatial technologies
• AC9HG8S04 – Analyse geographical data to identify patterns and trends
• AC9HG9S04 – Propose actions to respond to geographical challenges