Lane Community College Trains Students on Wildland Fire Tools
A Fire 200 course now uses rakes, shovels, and helmets to teach students fuel management and prescribed burning techniques.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Lane Community College students in its Fire 200: Wildland Fuels Management and Prescribed Burning class are practicing fire-control techniques with hands-on tools this school year. The course covers fire behavior, fuel management, and prescribed burning, and Weyerhaeuser provided a $10,000 grant for the tools and safety gear.
Why it matters
Wildfires are becoming more common across Oregon, prompting students to pursue fire-related careers. Weyerhaeuser has said it wants a workforce prepared for future wildfire seasons.
The $10,000 grant from Weyerhaeuser funds rakes, shovels, and helmets used in demonstrations and practice. The Wildland Fire Management Program at LCC began in 2022 and awards a certificate to graduates.
The players
Lane Community College
A public community college in Eugene, Oregon, that offers the Fire 200 wildland fire course and the Wildland Fire Management certificate program.
Weyerhaeuser
A large timberland and forest products company that provided the $10,000 grant for the course's tools and safety gear.
The details
Students practiced creating breaks in fuel continuity to stop fire spread and broke up fuels across the landscape through hands-on demonstrations. After the course, students can work with an outside program to earn a red card.
Timeline
2022: LCC's Wildland Fire Management Program started.
This school year: The class shifted to a more hands-on approach using tools.
Seasonal Patterns
Oregon's recurring wildfire seasons are driving local colleges to expand hands-on training in fire behavior and fuel management. This training mirrors a growing regional need for trained wildland firefighters as fire seasons continue to affect the state.
Students interested in wildland fire careers can enroll in the Fire 200 course and pursue the Wildland Fire Management certificate. Graduates may also work with an outside program to earn a red card after completing the course.
The takeaway
Hands-on wildland fire training gives students practical skills as Oregon continues to face wildfire seasons. Programs like this one prepare a local workforce for careers in fire management.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Aid to see how students fund training programs like this one in Eugene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KVAL.
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