Rx Fire Leadership Module

Overview

The National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center (NIPFTC) Rx Fire Leadership Module is designed to give individuals an opportunity to increase their prescribed (Rx) fire practitioner skills and gain confidence in their own ability to conduct prescribed fires and assume leadership roles on their home unit's fire program.

During the session, students will experience hands-on burning in complex situations such as wildland urban interface and various fuel types, working with several different agencies and organizations with unique management objectives. Students will gain up-to-date knowledge on prescribed fire safety, prescribed fire planning, smoke screening tools, monitoring, and current fire policy. They will also learn how prescribed fire practitioners have developed successful programs and public support.

The variety of field experience, along with the different prescriptions, planning procedures, and techniques of the various agencies and organizations, offers an accelerated learning program that will increase the home unit's capacity in fire management leadership. Student progress will be documented through training assignments and completion of tasks in NWCG Position Task Books.

Session Objectives

Gain practical leadership experience as RXB2, FIRB, ENGB, FEMO, FFT1 among other NWCG Position Task Books.
Enhance strengths and improve upon weaknesses.
Improve self confidence.
Interact one-on-one with experienced prescribed fire practitioners from across the country to gain a better understanding of fire regimes, condition classes, ignition techniques, smoke management, and fire effects.
Gain an understanding of prescribed fire as an essential tool in land management while implementing key elements of a successful fuels program in wildland and urban landscapes.
Enhance prescribed fire knowledge and skills through practical, experiential learning for a myriad of ecological objectives.
Demonstrate the ability to perform as a trainee, safely and effectively, in prescribed fire related positions on multiple burn assignments that are designed to help facilitate completion of NWCG Position Task Books.
Perform in leadership roles that will benefit home unit's fire program.
Plan and implement prescribed burns for various agencies (including federal, state, local, tribal, and non-governmental organizations) that may have different methodologies, objectives, and operational capabilities.
Experience fire monitoring elements through hands-on application to assess the effectiveness of fire treatments in meeting objectives.
Share experiences and backgrounds with other participants from different agencies and organizations, geographical areas, and countries to build a network of contacts.

FY26 Upcoming Dates and Schedule

Fall Sessions

Session 1: 10/06/2025 through 10/22/2025 (Flagstaff, AZ)

Session 2 (Fire Effects Module): 10/14/2025 through 10/23/2025 (Flagstaff, AZ)

Winter/Spring Sessions

Session 1: 01/05/2026 through 01/22/2026 (Tallahassee, FL)

Session 2: 02/16/2026 through 03/05/2026 (Tallahassee, FL & Tulsa, OK)

Session 3: 03/09/2026 through 03/26/2026 (Tallahassee, FL & Tulsa, OK)

Session 4: 04/06/2026 through 04/23/2026 (Tallahassee, FL & Rapid City, SD)

Session 5: 04/27/2026 through 05/14/2026 (Boise, ID)

The schedule consists of an orientation with presentations covering safety, ignition techniques, fire research, and lessons learned, followed by field trips covering fire planning and implementation, fuels, research and ecology, and wildlife and fire. Burning will occur at various federal, state, and private cooperator sites. On the last day, students will closeout with NIPFTC Staff.
The session includes interaction with active federal and state prescribed fire programs. During the session, students will move within the geographic region to take advantage of burning windows and programs. This will necessitate changing lodging multiple times during the session.

Applications

Who may apply? Wildland and municipal firefighters, resource specialist and land managers, and anyone seeking to gain experience in prescribed fire planning and implementation.
Applications will be found on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal https://www.wildlandfirelearningportal.net/course/view.php?id=3298
Fall Session 1 - (Application Open June 1st - August 1st) Selections will be made by September 6th
Fall Session 2 (Fire Effects Module) - (Application Open June 1st - September 1st) Selections will be made by September 15th
Winter/Spring Sessions 1-5 - (Applications Open August 1st - October 15th) Selections will be made by November 15th

Cost and Requirements

There is no tuition. All costs for travel, per diem, salary, and overtime will be the responsibility of the sending unit. NIPFTC will provide transportation during the session.
All students must have watched the video "The New Generation Fire Shelter" (NFES-2712). Students must also arrive with appropriate PPE.