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S-590, Advanced Fire Behavior Interpretation (Blended)

Course Title
Advanced Fire Behavior Interpretation (Blended)
Training Required For
FBAN 310-1 Training Path 01, LTAN 310-1 Training Path 01
Course Number
S-590
Course Description

S-590 is an intensive course designed to provide prospective Fire Behavior Analyst (FBANs) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTANs) with the groundwork they will need to succeed throughout the training process. The course focuses on the interpretation of fire behavior products and emphasizes the importance of communicating this information effectively. Ensuring the operational relevance of fire behavior information and inclusion of operational concerns into forecasts and briefings is highlighted as a key skill to providing useful input for both tactical and strategic decisions as well as being critical to firefighter safety. The course focuses on the interpretation of fire behavior outputs and models on a variety of time scales ranging from immediate operational concerns to answering longer term strategic questions.

Course Objective

Describe the FBAN/LTAN responsibilities and interactions with managers, management teams, meteorologists, and others.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Students seeking qualification as a Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN):
Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS)
Students seeking qualification as a Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN):
Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB)

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
This course is managed by a National Steering Committee. Nationally recognized subject matter experts and practitioners serve as instructors in this course.
Format
Blended
Special Delivery Considerations

This course was developed using a blended approach to learning. Students are required to complete the online training portion of the course prior to taking the ILT.

S-590 is a highly interactive class with full participation required from all students. Course material is presented through a combination of online material and exercises. The residence portion of the class addresses key topics interspersed with in depth fire scenarios. During the fire simulations, students will produce products, briefings and documentation under tight time constraints as they would on a fire assignment. Class size is limited to 50 participants. For current course information, refer to the NAFRI website at https://www.nafri.gov.

Computer Requirements
All participants attending S-590 will need to provide their own laptop, portable printer and data cable. Students should be equipped with the hardware (laptop and printer) and software to function as an FBAN and/or LTAN and be self-sufficient at the course as if they were in the field. A detailed listing of hardware and software needs will be included in the course selection letter.

Computer Requirements
All participants attending S-590 will need to provide their own laptop, portable printer and data cable. Students should be equipped with the hardware (laptop and printer) and software to function as an FBAN and/or LTAN and be self-sufficient at the course as if they were in the field. A detailed listing of hardware and software needs will be included in the course selection letter.

Additional Information
Success in S-590 will depend on the student's communication skills, both written and oral.

Additional skills could be obtained by completing the following:

M-410, Facilitative Instructor or other public speaking and technical writing courses.
Participating in the S-590 Mentoring Program.
Instructing portions of S-490, Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations course.
Attending S-495, Geospatial Fire Analysis Interpretation and Application course.
Review of and practice with the BehavePlus program.
S-590 is a national level training course and as such, participants can expect long days.

Business Steward
S590CSC S590 Advanced Fire Behavior Interpretations Course Steering Committee
Prerequisite Training Notes

Students seeking qualification as a Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN): S-490, Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
Students seeking qualification as a Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN):
S-490, Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
S-491, Intermediate National Fire Danger Rating System
S-495, Geospatial Fire Analysis, Interpretation and Application

Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
This course is managed by a National Steering Committee. Nationally recognized subject matter experts and practitioners serve as instructors in this course.
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable

NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249