GROWING A COMMUNITY FIRE WORKFORCE

In Southern El Dorado County, the challenge isn’t just reducing fuels—it’s having enough trained people to do the work. Capacity is the limiting factor. Without a skilled workforce, even the best plans for prescribed fire and wildfire resilience can’t move forward.

That’s why the Cosumnes River Prescribed Burn Association is focused on building capacity from the ground up.

Through a combination of training programs, hands-on experience, and mentorship, the PBA is developing a local network of fire practitioners. These aren’t just students in a classroom—they are active participants in real prescribed burns, gaining practical skills in ignition, holding, fire behavior, and safety.

Training opportunities are designed to meet people where they are. Whether someone is brand new to fire or looking to advance their qualifications, the PBA provides a pathway to grow. Participants can build experience over time, working alongside qualified leaders and contributing to meaningful projects in their own communities.

This model does more than teach skills—it creates ownership. When community members are directly involved in reducing wildfire risk, they become invested in the long-term health and safety of the landscape.

Capacity building also increases the pace and scale of work. As more trained practitioners become available, more acres can be treated, more properties can be supported, and more projects can move forward safely and efficiently.

Importantly, this approach helps bridge a gap that traditional systems often struggle to fill. Agencies and existing programs may not have the resources to train at the scale needed for community-level implementation. The PBA helps fill that gap by creating local opportunities for learning and engagement.

The result is a stronger, more prepared community—one that doesn’t have to rely solely on outside resources, but can take action when it matters most.

In Southern El Dorado County, building capacity isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation for a more resilient future.

And through the work of the Cosumnes River Prescribed Burn Association, that future is already taking shape.