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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.

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
PMC Fire Planning Management Committee
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

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch