Course Introduction:
S-211: Fire Weather and Environment – Prescribed Fire Edition provides a practical foundation in fire weather principles to support safe and effective prescribed burning. Designed for fire practitioners, planners, and land stewards, this course focuses on interpreting weather conditions, predicting fire behavior, and making informed go/no-go decisions. Through clear examples and visual tools, students will build confidence in applying fire weather knowledge in real-world prescribed fire operations.
Self-paced, online, 6-7 hours to complete.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Describe how temperature, relative humidity, wind, and atmospheric stability influence fire behavior.
Interpret fire weather forecasts and spot forecasts for prescribed fire planning.
Recognize local wind patterns, slope effects, and topographic influences on fire movement.
Identify fuel moisture trends and their relationship to atmospheric conditions.
Apply fire weather knowledge to ignition timing, holding strategies, and safety assessments during prescribed burns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The S-211 course is self-paced and takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete all the online learning, including reading the student manual. You can work through the material at your own pace, with videos, exercises, and discussions to guide your learning.
This course is fully self-paced, meaning you can complete the lessons at your convenience. There are no strict deadlines, and you can revisit the material as needed within the six-month time frame.
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The cost of the S-211 course is $55 CAD. This fee covers access to the course materials, videos, exercises, and support from the instructor.
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Yes, upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate. This certificate serves as proof of your participation and understanding of fire weather and its impact on prescribed fire.
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To determine if this course can count toward any professional certifications, you will need to check with your supervisor. They can verify whether it aligns with certification requirements specific to your role or organization by reviewing the learning outcomes and sample of the student manual.
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Yes! The knowledge gained in this course can be transferred to wildfire operations for those interested in wildland firefighting. It covers critical fire weather concepts that are essential for both prescribed fire and wildfire management.
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The course includes a variety of learning materials such as:
Instructional videos
Interactive exercises
A non-graded learning review (open-book, take your time)
An online discussion forum where you can interact with fellow students
A student manual that you can refer to during your studies
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No, the course is non-graded. The learning review is for your own understanding and can be completed at your own pace. This allows you to take your time to fully grasp the concepts without the pressure of grades.
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If you have any questions or need assistance, you can reach out to the instructor at any time. They are available to support you throughout the course, ensuring you have all the resources you need to succeed.
She meets the requirements to develop and instruct this course under the BCWS Operational Training Catalogue.