2026 Central Oregon Prescribed Fire Training Exchange
May 4-15, 2026 in Bend, Oregon
The objective of the two-week TREX program in Central Oregon is to facilitate peer-to-peer, experiential learning for prescribed fire professionals and others interested in advancing innovative tools to restore fire-adapted ecosystems. Participants will engage in hands-on training in the ecology of fire-adapted ecosystems, communications and community outreach, prescribed fire monitoring, operational assignments, prescribed fire use, and collaboration among a diverse array of participating individuals and organizations
Questions? E-mail: thomas.stokely@tnc.org
Applications are due February 18, 2026
This is an intensive 11-day program that may require participants to be physically active over consecutive days of live-fire training. We are only accepting applicants that are available to fully participate for the duration of the program. Please note that Mother's Day is May 10th and the Columbia Gorge TREX May 11-22nd, coinciding with the second week of this TREX.The cost to participate is $400, due upon acceptance to the Central Oregon TREX program. If the participant fee is an any way a barrier to your attendance, scholarships are available to cover the fee. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please indicate so in the option provided in the application form and we will contact you during the selection process. The majority of training costs (housing for non-local participants, meals, training materials, training cadre and instruction, and local resources) are covered thanks to generous support from the Fire Learning Network (FLN), TNC, USDA Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Please note, each participant or their employer is responsible for all paid and vacation time, including overtime, accrued during TREX. Participants must inform supervisors of the training schedule, hours (approx. 10-12 hours/day), costs, make any logistical and administrative arrangements regarding pay prior to arrival, and have supervisor approval to participate in TREX.
The FLN and the University of Idaho (UI) College of Natural Resources offers an upper division companion course for TREX. The course is designed for non-degree seeking fire professionals, aspiring fire professionals, fire practitioners, enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, and anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of fire ecology, management, and related ecological sciences. The 2-3 credit options count toward ecology or management in range, wildlife, and forestry coursework. Please inquire if you are interested in registering for this UI TREX companion course.
