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Catalog Description Hours: 9 lecture Description: Wildland fire behavior factors important for understanding fire spread principles and applying safe and effective suppression techniques. Meets standards prescribed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the CA Incident Command Certification System for S-190 certification. (not transferable) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Examine the environmental factors of wildland fire behavior that affect the start and spread of wildland fire. CSLO #2: Determine the three principal environmental elements affecting wildland behavior. CSLO #3: Describe the effect relative humidity has on wildland fire. CSLO #4: Evaluate four factors of topography that affect wildland fire behavior. Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 9 Outside of Class Hours 18 Total Student Learning Hours 27 Course Objectives 1. Describe the three sides of the fire triangle. 2. Examine the environmental factors of wildland fire behavior that affect the start and spread of wildland fire. 3. Examine three methods of heat transfer. 4. Determine the three principal environmental elements affecting wildland fire behavior. 5. Analyze three factors of fuel that affect the start and spread of wildland fire. 6. Examine three factors of weather that affect fuel moisture. 7. Examine how wind affects wildland fire spread. 8. Describe how slope affects wildland fire spread. 9. Evaluate four factors of topography that affect wildland fire behavior. 10. List indicators of an approaching cold front and describe what wind changes to expect. 11. Compare three common foehn wind conditions and the areas in which they occur. 12. Identify a thunderstorm and describe how and when it is dangerous. 13. Diagram the daily cycle of slope and valley winds. 14. Describe the effect relative humidity has on wildland fire behavior. 15. Examine the wildland environment indicators that can produce problem and extreme fire behavior. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information Not Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: The instructor will lead a classroom discussion on foehn winds and when and where are they likely to occur. Students will be evaluated based on their participation and involvement with the discussion. Objective Examinations Example: Students will be given a multiple-choice examination on the factors that affect fire spread. Standard Grading. Example Question: What are the 3 main factors affecting wildfire spread? A. Fuel, Weather and Topography, B. Fuel, Weather and Wing, C. Weather, Topography and Terrain, D. None of the Above. Problem Solving Examinations Example: Students will work in small groups and determine the difference between a stable and an unstable atmosphere and how does each affect fire behavior differently. Students will then present their findings to the class. Rubric Grading. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: The instructor will lecture on the three environmental elements that influence wildland fire behavior. Students will then work in small groups using provided scenarios to discuss and list the principal factors of the elements which affect the start and spread of wildland fire. The instructor will lead a discussion on the fire triangle and heat transfer and the students will then compare and contrast these two factors in wildland fires and structural fires. Distance Learning Online lecture and discussion on wind and wildfire spread, followed by students examining how wind affects wildland fire spread and present a report outlining these effects. Reports are posted for instructor and student feedback. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. The students will read the material on heat transfer and then outline how this applies to wildland fires. 2. The students will read the material in the textbook on fire weather and then be prepared to discuss in class how a wildland fire may affect atmospheric stability. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Analyze a provided picture and explain what is happening in respect to wildland fire behavior. 2. Diagram the daily cycle of relative humidity and fuel moisture as it pertains to wildland fire conditions. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Wildland Firefighter: Principles and Practice, Revised Author: Joseph D. Lowe; Jeff Pricher Publisher: Jones and Barlett Learning Publication Date: 2024 Text Edition: 2nd Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting Skills Author: International Association of Fire Chiefs and National Fire Protection Association Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publication Date: 2020 Text Edition: 4th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

Catalog Description Prerequisite: Completion of FIRE 0171 with grade of "C" or better or a certified S-190 course as prescribed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Hours: 40 lecture Description: Aligns with S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Provides professional development related to the topic of wildland fire behavior. Provides instruction in the identification and prediction of wildland fire behavior in various fuel types and under varying weather conditions. Prepares municipal, county, state, and federal fire personnel to meet certification standards set forth by the National Inter-agency Incident Management System. (C-ID FIRE 241X) (not transferable) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Compare and contrast three methods of heat transfer. CSLO #2: List the seven wildland fire environment factors to monitor on the fireline. CSLO #3: Describe how rate of spread and flame length react to changes in fuel, fuel moisture, wind and slope. CSLO #4: Explain the significance of the earth’s “heat balance.” Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 40 Outside of Class Hours 80 Total Student Learning Hours 120 Course Objectives 1. Identify and describe the characteristics of fuels, weather, and topography that influence wildland fire behavior. 2. Interpret, apply, and document wildland fire behavior and weather information. 3. Define extreme fire behavior on a wildland fire. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information Not Transferable Methods of Evaluation Objective Examinations Example: Students will take a multiple-choice examination on temperature inversions. Standard Grading. Example Question: An increase in temperature with height, or to the layer within which such an increase occurs is called an: A. Inversion Layer, B. Temperature Inversion, C. Inversion, D. None of the Above. Reports Example: Students will write an essay on how fuel's availability is essential to predicting wildland fire behavior. Rubric Grading. Skill Demonstrations Example: Students will demonstrate the ability use and collect weather data from a belt-weather kit. Pass/Fail based on industry standards. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: The instructor will lead a discussion on the necessity of weather monitoring. The instructor will demonstrate the use of a belt weather kit, and the students will practice using the kit. Using the data gathered, students will make predictions of future values of Relative Humidity and Fuel Moisture based on incremental increases in temperature. The instructor will lecture on how air moves around high and low pressure systems. Students will then use provided maps with pressure systems diagrammed on them and make predictions on types and strength of wind patterns. Distance Learning Online instructor lecture on wildland fire behavior, followed by students writing a report identifying conditions that create extreme fire behavior on a wildland fire. Students post their reports for instructor and student discussion. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. The student will read a General Weather Forecast and be prepared to discuss and identify specific information that is relevant to Fire Behavior Predictions. 2. The student will read the material in the textbook on basic weather information, and will then calculate Fine Dead Fuel Moisture and Probability of Ignition for provided scenarios. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Describe the different effects between cold air and warm air at the same elevation on a fire. 2. Explain what happens to atmospheric pressure when air descends to lower elevations. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Workbook S-290 Author: National Wildfire Coordinating Group Publisher: U.S. Government Publication Date: 2009 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Wildland Firefighter: Principles and Practice-Revised Author: Jeff Pricher.Joseph D, Lowe Publisher: Jones and Barlett Publishing Publication Date: 2024 Text Edition: 2nd Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.