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Executive Summary
Wildfire activity and the use of prescribed fire are increasing across the United States, yet the wildland firefighting workforce is struggling to keep pace. Many national, regional, state and local initiatives have been established to address these challenges. For example, the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, the SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Initiative, and the national Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s 2023 report recommend increasing training and educational opportunities to build capacity and expand the prescribed fire workforce, including for students, landowners, and underrepresented communities.
Colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to contribute to these regional and national-level efforts. By integrating hands-on fire management experiences into forestry and natural resources programs, institutions help meet workforce demands and prepare students to excel in technical fire management roles while developing critical soft skills such as communication, conflict management, and public engagement. This report discusses key considerations for establishing student burn crew programs and highlights existing programs, offering real-world examples to inspire readers to establish similar programs at their own institutions.
