Prescribed Fire Training

Minnesota Pheasants Forever hosts and supports prescribed fire training for private landowners, conservation professionals, and other interested public. See below for training opportunities with prescribed fire for habitat management.

Identifying your training goals

How you engage with fire will greatly depend on your personal or professional goals. Here are some example reasons why you might want to pursue fire training:

Manage habitat on a family farm
Burn as part of a Prescribed Burn Association
Volunteer on a local PF or QF chapter burn crew
Burn with conservation groups or agencies
Go west and fight wildfires
Learn more about fire and its use on the land

Your goals will likely fall into one of the following categories:

You want to burn with a wide variety of entities, such as PF-QF, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other groups, or want a standardized qualification. For these individuals, it is recommended to take basic wildland firefighting training and pursue their Firefighter Type 2 qualification. This is good for conservation professionals and burn crew volunteers. See the ‘Basic Wildland Firefighter Training’ section below for more information on this training path.
You only want to burn on your own land, as part of a Prescribed Burn Association, or your goals do not include burning with a formalized group. For these individuals, it is recommended to start with landowner-focused trainings emphasizing prescribed fire. These trainings have less time commitment than basic wildland firefighting training and are good for landowners, PBA members, and individuals wanting to learn more about prescribed fire, but do not need a standardized qualification. See the ‘Landowner Training’ section below for resources for these trainings.
You are a current firefighter or prescribed fire practitioner looking for more training. Resources for experienced fire personnel can be found in the ‘Continuing and Advanced Training’ section at the bottom of this page.

A crew of firefighters dig handline in grass

Basic Wildland Firefighter Training

This training path is for individuals who are seeking their Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). This qualification is the standard in wildland firefighting and is also used by prescribed fire practitioners across the United States. The training is delivered in hybrid format, with self-paced online coursework followed by a one-day, in-person field day.

Online Coursework

Participants must complete a series of online courses for this training. These courses must be completed prior to attending the in-person field day. Required online courses include (in suggested order of completion):

These online courses take about 40 hours to complete so do not delay getting started. Field day attendees must present certificates of completion for each of the courses listed above in order to participate in the field day. Be sure to print and save certificates of completion for each course and/or course module, and be ready to present them at the field day. For detailed instructions on how to access the prerequisite coursework, see 2024 Tips for Online wildland firefighting course by Tom Kroll.

Wildland Firefighter Training (S-130) Field Day

Pheasants Forever partners with the Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council and Camp Ripley Military Training Center to hold a Wildland Firefighter Training (S-130) Field Day that is open to the public. This in-person training is open to individuals who have completed their online prerequisite coursework (as described above). An optional Work Capacity Test will be held after the field day for those that need it.

Where: Camp Ripley, 15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN; Environmental Classroom

When: March-April 2027, specific date to be determined; 8:00am-3:00pm

Alternate Date (in case of bad weather): To be determined

Cost: $15

Capacity: 30

Registration: Opens February 2027, specific date to be determined

Preregistration: Individuals that complete their prerequisite coursework can preregister for the 2027 field day. Email Jason Andersen at jandersen@pheasantsforever.org with your request and copies of your certificates. You will be placed on a list to be notified when the field day is scheduled and will be given access to 'early bird' registration when it opens in February.

What to bring: Participants should bring their certificates of completion for course prerequisites. Wear long pants, sturdy footwear or work boots, and bring work gloves and drinking water. Dress accordingly for the weather. Lunch will not be provided; participants should bring their own lunches and be prepared to eat in the field. A copy of the Incident Response Pocket Guide will be provided to participants for them to keep (cost included with registration).

About the Work Capacity Test
The Work Capacity Test (WCT) is a physical stress test where participants walk a predetermined course at a fast pace within a given time limit. The WCT is optional for participants, but entities may require a current WCT to engage in wildfire or prescribed fire activities. Depending on duty requirements and goals, participants will need to decide what type of WCT they wish to take. There are three levels of the Work Capacity Test:

Light (Walk Test): 1-mile walk in 16 minutes with no pack
Moderate (Field Test): 2-mile walk with a 25-pound pack in 30 minutes
Arduous (Pack Test): 3-mile walk with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes

Participants should bring their own pack of appropriate weight (as listed above). Comfortable walking shoes and exercise clothing are permitted. For information on how to prepare for the Work Capacity Test, see Getting Prepared for the WCT by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

For Questions: Contact Jason Andersen, Minnesota Pheasants Forever Prescribed Fire Coordinator, by email at jandersen@pheasantsforever.org.

Landowner Training

Pheasants Forever partners with the Minnesota Prescribed Burn Association and Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council to deliver training that empowers landowners to safely and effectively use prescribed fire on their lands. These trainings are useful for individual landowners, members of Prescribed Burn Associations, and interested public seeking to learn more about fire and its benefits to habitat.

Online Training

Pheasants Forever is currently working on curated YouTube playlists of videos intended for landowners. These playlists will cover the most requested topics for prescribed burning including how safe fire is conducted, fire break preparation, and burn planning. These playlists will be available through the Minnesota Pheasants Forever YouTube channel and posted here when completed. These playlists are planned to be finished by fall 2026.

In-person Training

Landowner fire workshops to be announced for fall 2026 and spring 2027. These opportunities will be posted here and on Minnesota Prescribed Burn Association events page when announced.

Firefighter studying a burn unit map

Continuing and Advanced Training

Annual Fire Refreshers (RT-130)

Camp Ripley Military Training Center holds annual refreshers for their staff each spring, and general public are welcome to attend. There are usually 3 sessions held, generally in April. These refreshers are posted to the Minnesota Fire Training Calendar.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources holds refreshers for their staff and sometimes allow public to attend if there are remaining seats available. This may vary by location. These opportunities are posted to the Minnesota Fire Training Calendar. Those interested will need to inquire with the refresher coordinator to find out if seats are available for the public.

Virtual Refreshers

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever offers a virtual refresher open to the public. This session is held in late winter or early spring. The 2027 offering will be posted here when it is announced. Contact Jon Eerkes at jeerkes@pheasantsforever.org for details.
A virtual refresher is offered by the Great Plains Fire Learning Network, which may be an option for some. This session is usually held in February or March. Information on the 2027 offering will be posted here when it is announced.
Note: Virtual refreshers do not include the practice shelter deployment or a work capacity test, which may be required. A practice shelter deployment, or other fire shelter component, will need to be completed to meet the criteria for RT-130.

Work Capacity Tests

Pheasants Forever conducts Work Capacity Tests in Mankato that are open to the public. Dates for 2027 will be posted here when they are planned, likely to be held in March and April. All WCT levels are accommodated. For those that attend virtual refreshers and need them, fire shelter deployments will be conducted following the WCT. Contact Jason Andersen at jandersen@pheasantsforever.org for questions.
Camp Ripley Military Training Center opens their Work Capacity Tests to the general public, coinciding with their annual refreshers. These opportunities are posted to the Minnesota Fire Training Calendar. Alternatively, public may attend the WCT that follows the S130 Field Day listed above. The WCT component starts following the field day, at approximately 3pm.

Pheasants Forever is actively seeking ways to increase prescribed fire training opportunities for volunteers and the general public. Contact Jason Andersen, Minnesota Pheasants Forever Prescribed Fire Coordinator, by email at jandersen@pheasantsforever.org for questions about your fire training needs.