This site has been mostly updated for 2026. Enrollment in credit courses (undergrad and grad) will be subject to normal OSU enrollment dates and procedures. Registration for non-credit participant opens January 1, 2026. Syllabi are being updated and will post in January.

Wildland Fire Guard School

This mixed mode, entry-level wildland firefighting course utilizes National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online curricula, coupled with instructor-led online discussion sessions and in-person, hands-on exercises to certify participants as entry level wildland firefighters. Students work independently to complete NWCG and FEMA online modules prior to discussions. Zoom “classroom” sessions add content depth and discussion opportunities. Field sessions build key skills in safety, teamwork, fire behavior and fire suppression. The course includes a fire shelter deployment practice session and a Work Capacity Test (WCT) opportunity. Successful completion results in certification and qualification as an entry-level wildland firefighter (firefighter type 2 / FFT2). Course covers FEMA IS-100 and 700, and NWCG S-190, S-130, and L-180 courses. Available concurrently in credit and non-credit versions.

College Credit Version

The Wildland Fire Guard School will be available again Spring Term, 2026 as a 2-credit course.

• Undergraduate course: FOR252 section 1 (lecture) and section 020 (lab).
• Graduate course: FOR508 – details pending
• View the appropriate credit course syllabus for details and participation requirements. Syllabi being updated now.
• Subject to OSU tuition, fees, and registration procedures.
• Course will be managed through Canvas.

Non-credit Version

Just want the FFT2 qualification? The non-credit version offers FFT2 credentials without the requirement to pay OSU tuition.

• Registration for the non-credit FFT2 opens January 1.
• Meets concurrently with the academic credit students (but some sessions are optional for you).
• The 2026 non-credit syllabus will be available soon and will include details, links, dates, etc.
• Cost: OSU students and employees $50 (payable by credit card or OSU index). Persons not affiliated with OSU: $75 payable by credit card.
• Zoom link and other details will be provided upon registration.

Dates (Tentatively updated for 2026)

• Zoom Sessions. (Required for academic credit students. Optional for non-credit.) Tuesdays, March 31 through June 2, 2026. 6:00 to 7:20 p.m. (Pacific Time Zone)
• Work Capacity Fitness Test and Firefighting Skills Field Session (includes shelter deployment, fireline construction, hoselays).
  • Option 1. April 26, 2026. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Option 2, May 31, 2026. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Prescribed Fire Opportunities

• Prescribed fire exercise opportunities will be available to OSU students and employees.
• We’ll embed with Deschutes National Forest personnel as they implement one or more prescribed burns.
• These may be one-day or two-day events.
• More details will be provided during our introductory Zoom session.

Location

• Field sessions meet on the OSU campus, at Richardson Hall, at the Hatfield Courtyard (west side of Richardson, across from the Forest Service research lab)
• From this point we’ll carpool to field sites on or near the McDonald and Dunn research forests, north of Corvallis
• Vehicles provided for credit course students (and non-credit as space allows)

Note about Certification and Qualification

Through this course you will complete nationally recognized online courses that cover basic concepts required for all new Firefighter Type 2 candidates, per the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). The certificates issued by those online courses will be accepted by most fire agencies. Our S-130 field session will be overseen by a qualified lead instructor from the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) under its agreement with NWCG. If you successfully complete all the online courses, the field session, and the arduous work capacity fitness test you will be issued a qualification card through NWSA. A Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RXCM) option is available to person who complete all coursework and the field session, and the Moderate work capacity fitness test. Note that fire agencies and contractors are responsible for their own qualification processes and may require you to demonstrate skills and knowledge, repeat segments of the training, or complete additional training before they qualify you to work in fire roles.

Questions? Contact John Punches, course coordinator.

Many thanks to NWSA for facilitating the qualification portion of this course.