Skip to main content

S-495, Geospatial Fire Analysis (Blended)

Course Title
Geospatial Fire Analysis (Blended)
Training Required For
LTAN 310-1 Training Path 01
Course Number
S-495
Other Training Which Supports
Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN)
Course Description

The primary purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge base for developing short-, mid-, and long-term geospatial fire analysis for the Long Term Analyst (LTAN) and Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN). This course conveys the latest processes and technology to assess weather, climatology, historic fires, fuels, and biophysical attributes to develop deterministic and probabilistic fire growth for various timeframes. Concepts taught will help an LTAN and FBAN perform at an acceptable level on a national basis without regard to geographic boundaries. The course is presented by distance learning, lectures, electronic presentations, and class discussion.

Course Objective

Provide continuing education to qualified LTANs, FBANs, and technical specialists by providing the most recent advancements in geospatial fire analyses.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Long Term analyst (LTAN), Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Incident Meteorologist (IMET), Technical Specialist, or someone with expertise in GIS with verified fire experience developing geospatial fire behavior analyses or providing data for such analyses
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 instructor-led training (ILT).

Business Steward
PMC Fire Planning Management Committee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Long Term analyst (LTAN), Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Incident Meteorologist (IMET), Technical Specialist, or someone with expertise in GIS with verified fire experience developing geospatial fire behavior analyses or providing data for such analyses
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Special Cadre Considerations

Lesson instructors must have applied experience with the materials being presented.

NWCG Latest Announcements

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

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

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

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