Wildland firefighter training in Texas starts with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core courses: S-130 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, plus L-180 Human Factors and I-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System. TPSTA delivers all four for $700, combining online coursework with an in-person field day, so you finish having covered the training that leads toward the NWCG basic wildland firefighter qualification - the credential people commonly call the red card.
A wildland firefighter works fires in grass, brush, and forest rather than inside buildings. The work is about reading fuel, terrain, and weather, cutting line, and operating safely as part of a crew on a moving, unpredictable fire. Texas sees serious wildfire seasons, and trained wildland crews are in real demand.
Wildland certification is one of the fastest, most affordable ways to start a fire-service career in Texas, and demand for S-130 / S-190-trained crews stays high through fire season. Below is exactly what the courses cover, what you need, how the red card works, the cost, and the open class dates.
What you'll learn
The four courses together make up the standard entry package the interagency fire community expects of a new wildland firefighter.
- S-130 Firefighter Training - hand tools, fireline construction, water use, safety zones, and fire shelter deployment
- S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior - how fuel, weather, and topography drive fire spread
- L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service - situational awareness and crew decision-making
- I-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System - how large incidents are organized and led
- The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations that keep crews alive
Requirements to start
Entry-level wildland training has few barriers to getting started. You should be at least 18 and physically capable of demanding outdoor work in heat while carrying gear. Note that a formal wildland qualification also requires passing the work capacity test, commonly known as the pack test - a timed three-mile walk carrying a 45-pound pack for the arduous rating. We will point you to what a qualification requires beyond the coursework.
Certification and the red card
Completing S-130, S-190, L-180, and I-100 covers the classroom training that leads toward the NWCG basic wildland firefighter (Firefighter Type 2) qualification. The Incident Qualification Card, or red card, is the document that certifies you are qualified for a wildland fire position. A red card is issued through an agency once you have the required training, a passed work capacity test, and the other qualification requirements in place - the coursework here is the training foundation that path is built on.
Cost
Tuition is $700 for the full four-course package. As a nonprofit, we bundle the core NWCG courses into one affordable price instead of charging separately for each. That makes this one of the most accessible ways to get wildland-trained in Texas.
Schedule and delivery
The classroom portions are delivered online so you can complete them on your schedule, paired with an in-person field component to practice the hands-on skills. We have several cohorts open across the summer and fall wildfire season. Check the next available class on the button above.
What you can do after
Wildland-trained firefighters work with federal, state, and local agencies, contract crews, and departments that respond to grass and brush fires. It is also a strong add-on for structural firefighters, since much of Texas fights fire in the wildland-urban interface where the two worlds meet.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What are S-130 and S-190?
Q. How much does wildland firefighter training cost?
Q. How long does the training take?
Q. Do I get my red card (NWCG qualification)?
Q. When are the next wildland classes?
Q. Is the training online or in person?
Ready to get started?
Seats fill on a first-come basis. Apply now and a real person from the Bastrop team will follow up, usually within one business day.