California Prescribed Fire Council
The California Prescribed Fire Council is helping expand California’s prescribed fire and wildfire workforce through Task Book initiation, qualification guidance, and standards-based fire practitioner development programs.
As prescribed fire efforts continue to grow across California, the need for trained and qualified fire practitioners is increasing rapidly. The California Prescribed Fire Council is helping support that workforce by providing pathways for NWCG Task Book initiation and qualification development for fire practitioners throughout the state.
Through membership in the California Prescribed Fire Council, fire practitioners can access guidance and support for training, experience documentation, qualification pathways, and Position Task Book development. The program is designed to support firefighters, prescribed fire practitioners, contractors, land managers, volunteers, and community-based burn leaders working toward nationally recognized wildland fire qualifications.
A Position Task Book, commonly referred to as a “Task Book,” is a structured evaluation document used to verify that a fire practitioner has successfully demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for specific wildland fire positions.
Task Books are an important part of the qualification process for many NWCG positions and are used throughout the wildland fire community to help ensure personnel are properly trained and evaluated before receiving full qualification status.
“Building California’s prescribed fire workforce starts with accessible training, meaningful field experience, and pathways that help practitioners progress safely through qualification systems.”
— California Prescribed Fire Council
The California Prescribed Fire Council’s qualification support program helps members understand prerequisites, training requirements, and field experience expectations associated with Task Books and wildfire qualifications. Participants can receive assistance organizing records, documenting incident and prescribed fire experience, and identifying pathways toward qualification advancement.
The program emphasizes practical experience, mentorship, community-based prescribed fire leadership, and standards-based training opportunities designed to support safe and effective fire operations across California’s diverse landscapes.
California’s future prescribed fire capacity depends on creating more opportunities for practitioners to gain experience, complete qualifications, and participate in real-world fire operations. The California Prescribed Fire Council believes that qualification systems should help support the growth of safe, community-based fire programs throughout the state.
By supporting Task Book development and practitioner advancement, the Council is helping expand the number of trained personnel available to assist with prescribed burning, fuels reduction, wildfire response, ecological restoration, and community wildfire resilience projects across California.
Become a member of the California Prescribed Fire Council to access Task Book support, qualification guidance, training opportunities, and community-based fire practitioner development programs.
Learn MoreSupporting prescribed fire practitioners, workforce development, community-based burning, and wildfire resilience across California.
California Prescribed Fire Council
The California Prescribed Fire Council now offers a pathway for fire practitioners across California to obtain Incident Qualification Cards (Red Cards) through membership in the Council and participation in standards-based training and qualification programs.
As California continues to expand the use of prescribed fire and community-based wildfire resilience programs, the need for qualified fire practitioners has never been greater. The California Prescribed Fire Council is helping meet that need by providing access to Incident Qualification Cards (Red Cards) for fire practitioners throughout the state.
This program is available to fire practitioners, prescribed burn association members, land managers, contractors, volunteers, and community leaders who are working toward nationally recognized wildland fire qualifications. By becoming a member of the California Prescribed Fire Council, participants can access qualification support, training opportunities, and record review services designed to help practitioners safely participate in prescribed fire and wildfire operations.
An Incident Qualification Card, commonly referred to as a “Red Card,” documents that a fire practitioner has met training, experience, and fitness requirements for specific wildland fire positions. Red Cards are widely used throughout the wildland fire community and help verify qualifications during incidents, prescribed burns, and cooperative fire operations.
The California Prescribed Fire Council supports the development of qualified fire practitioners by helping members organize training records, complete required coursework, document experience, and work toward qualification standards aligned with nationally recognized wildfire training systems.
“California needs more qualified prescribed fire practitioners and community-based fire leaders. Expanding access to training and qualifications is critical to building a more fire-resilient future.”
— California Prescribed Fire Council
The program is open to all California fire practitioners through membership in the California Prescribed Fire Council. Members gain access to qualification guidance, training opportunities, task book support, wildfire and prescribed fire experience tracking, and assistance navigating qualification pathways.
The Council’s training and qualification efforts are designed to support both emerging and experienced practitioners working in prescribed fire, fuels reduction, wildfire response, and community-based burning programs. The goal is to expand California’s prescribed fire workforce while maintaining strong safety and training standards.
California’s growing prescribed fire movement depends on trained and qualified practitioners who can safely support burns across diverse landscapes and communities. The California Prescribed Fire Council believes that training and qualification opportunities should be accessible to more people, including volunteers, community members, private landowners, contractors, tribal practitioners, and Prescribed Burn Association participants.
Through partnerships, training programs, and community engagement, the Council is helping create a stronger statewide network of prescribed fire practitioners capable of supporting wildfire resilience and ecological restoration efforts throughout California.
Join the California Prescribed Fire Council to access training opportunities, qualification support, Red Card pathways, and community-based prescribed fire programs throughout California.
Learn MoreSupporting prescribed fire practitioners, workforce development, community-based burning, and wildfire resilience across California.