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S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

Course Title
Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)
Training Required For
FELB 310-1 Training Path 01, FEMO 310-1 Training Path 01, HMGB 310-1 Training Path 01, ENGB 310-1 Training Path 01, CRWB 301-1 Training Path 01, UASM 310-1 Training Path 01, HEQB 310-1 Training Path 01, FIRB 301-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2025

Previous Certification Dates

1993, 1994, 2007

Course Number
S-290
Other Training Which Supports
IADP Initial Attack Dispatcher, REAF Resource Advisor, Fireline, LOFR Liaison Officer, INVL Wildland Fire Investigation Team Leader
Course Description

This is a skills focused course designed to prepare the developing fireline supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations. It is the second course in a series that collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills. The course will train students how to make a thorough, timely assessment of the fire environment and to anticipate changes in fire behavior based on changes in and/or alignment of the fuels, weather, and topography. Students will then practice using this information to support their decision-making and risk management on the fireline.
This BLENDED course is designed to introduce students to the characteristics and interactions of the wildland fire environment (fuels, weather, and topography) that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.  Students will also be shown how such information can be applied.  
The course is a blended training combining an Online Training (OLT) component and an Instructor-led Training (ILT) component. 

Course Objective

Anticipate changes in fire behavior that will impact on-the-ground decision-making and risk management.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor must be a qualified Single Resource Boss (CRWB, HEQB, ENGB, FELB, FIRB, and HMGB).
Format
Blended
Special Delivery Considerations

<p>A live internet connection is required for the delivery of the Instructor-led component of the course.</p>

Business Steward
PMC Fire Planning Management Committee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Unit instructors must be qualified as Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
Class Size Recommendations

The recommended class size is 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors to facilitate activities and discussion and enable positive instructor-student interactions.

Class Size Recommendations

The recommended class size is 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors to facilitate activities and discussion and enable positive instructor-student interactions.

Special Cadre Considerations

A Fire Weather Forecaster, IMET or similar expert recommended by the local weather service is highly encouraged for the Weather Discussion.
A subject matter expert in local weather and fuels is highly encouraged to lead the Regional Patterns and Fire Behavior Discussions.

NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date:  May 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system. 

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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 Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page