Workforce Development and Prescribed Fire Training

Workforce development through prescribed fire training is essential to rebuilding a skilled, local fire workforce capable of safely implementing good fire at scale. Across fire-adapted landscapes, there is a growing need for trained practitioners who understand fire behavior, fuels, weather, and operations. Programs built around hands-on prescribed burning provide a direct pathway for individuals to gain real-world experience while contributing to meaningful land management.

Training typically combines classroom instruction with field-based learning aligned with National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards. Participants develop core competencies in ignition techniques, holding operations, mop-up, and situational awareness, while also learning critical safety systems like LCES. These experiences help build qualifications, support task book completion, and prepare individuals for roles on prescribed fires and wildfires alike.

Beyond technical skills, prescribed fire training strengthens local capacity by empowering communities to manage their own landscapes. It creates career pathways, supports workforce diversification, and builds a culture of stewardship. Investing in this workforce is key to scaling prescribed fire, reducing wildfire risk, and ensuring resilient ecosystems for the future.