Apply here for S-290 (Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior) and S-219 (Firing Operations), hosted by Transition Habitat Conservancy, the Los Angeles Prescribed Burn Association, and The Watershed Research and Training Center. Our goal with these courses is to continue building and developing local capacity for beneficial fire.
Applications close on August 28, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as there is significant interest and class size is limited. Applicants will be notified of their application status by September 1, 2026.
DATES:
Dec 1-3: S-290 - Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
Dec 4-5: S-219 - Firing Operations
Please note if you are applying to both courses, or just one, in the application below.
LOCATION:
The training will take place in person in the Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County. Camping will be available at no cost at
Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve, about 10 min drive from the training site. Most of our time will be spent outdoors in the field. Participants will be responsible for providing their own food and water.
The training location is only accessible by car, but carpools can be arranged to accommodate participants without a vehicle. Please fill out the application form and we will reach out to you with more information.
COST & FINANCIAL AID:
There is no registration fee for this event.
We may be able to provide financial aid for a limited number of participants in the form of reimbursements for travel costs. Please note in your application if you would like to be considered for this and we will be in touch. Priority will go to Native and low-income participants.
WHO SHOULD APPLY:
These courses are open to anyone interested in beneficial fire, but some prior knowledge, coursework, and/or live fire experience is encouraged to understand course contents. Priority applicants include residents of LA County and surrounding areas, Native/Indigenous people, members of LAPBA and neighboring PBAs (including Inland Empire PBA and Ventura PBA), local land managers interested in using fire on their lands, and local community-based organizations.
COURSE DETAILS:
S-290 (Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior) will transition you from simply observing fire behavior to predicting it. You will learn how to analyze the environment to anticipate how fire spreads on the landscape. You will also become familiar with elements of a burn plan, and how to relate them with fire behavior.
Required for: FEMO (Fire Effects Monitor).
Prerequisite: S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior), which can be completed online.
You will have to complete 24 hours of online self-paced coursework prior to the in-person portion.
S-219 (Firing Operations) is a highly hands-on training that will show you the roles and responsibilities of a firing lead. You will go deeper in firing operations and the different elements to have in mind when planning and implementing a firing plan, with a strong focus on beneficial fire use.
Required for FIRB (Firing Boss).
Recommended (not required): FFT2 and/or some fire experience.
These courses meet NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) standards. For both courses, it is highly encouraged to have some fire experience, or to take the
online Basic 32 component, to understand the language used and concepts discussed in these courses.
Accessibility Notes:
This training takes place entirely outdoors, and involves walking on uneven surfaces. It will take place in spoken English with some visual aids and some physical activities moving through outdoor spaces. If you are concerned about your physical ability to participate, or have other accommodations to request, please note it in your application. This will not impact the selection process.
Please email losangelespba@gmail.com if you have any other questions.
