GROWING LOCAL CAPACITY THROUGH COMMUNITY FIRE TRAINING

Across Southern El Dorado County, the need for prescribed fire is clear—but the ability to implement it safely depends on one critical factor: people. Trained, qualified, and experienced practitioners are essential to putting good fire on the ground, and right now, there simply aren’t enough of them.

Traditional fire agencies and training providers play an important role, but they often face limitations in time, staffing, and funding. Their primary mission is suppression, and while training is part of their work, it’s not always scaled to meet the growing demand at the community level. As a result, many residents who want to learn how to safely use prescribed fire are left without clear pathways to get trained or gain experience.

That’s where community-based training steps in.

The Cosumnes River Prescribed Burn Association is creating opportunities for local residents to become active participants in fire management. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world prescribed burn projects, community members are learning the fundamentals of fire behavior, ignition techniques, holding operations, and safety.

This model is different. It’s not just classroom-based—it’s built around doing the work together. Participants gain experience while contributing to meaningful fuel reduction projects in their own communities. Over time, this builds both confidence and competence.

Importantly, this approach helps solve a major bottleneck: capacity. Without enough trained people, even the best burn plans can’t be implemented. By growing a local workforce, PBAs are increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire across the landscape.

It also creates long-term resilience. Instead of relying solely on outside resources, Southern El Dorado County is developing its own network of practitioners—people who understand the land, are invested in their community, and are ready to take action.

The reality is simple: we cannot meet today’s wildfire challenges with yesterday’s workforce. Community fire practitioner training is not just helpful—it’s necessary.

Through efforts led by the Cosumnes River Prescribed Burn Association, Southern El Dorado County is building that future—one trained practitioner at a time.