Natural Areas Training Academy logo

S-130/S-190/L-180: Basic Wildland Firefighter

Next Course: September - November 2026

Online coursework: October - November 2026 (32 hours, on your own, with assignment deadlines)

Live Field Day* (choose 1 location):

Dates and locations are TBD but will span the week of November 16-20, 2026.

View FAQs here.

Registration link will be posted here.

REGULAR registration will be in September 2026.
EARLY registration is only available for previous NATA graduates**. You must email the NATA Training Coordinator by TBD to request early registration access; access will expire the day before regular registration opens.
Registration will close when capacity is reached or by TBD; we expect course will fill to capacity quickly!

Join our listserv to receive updates.

Course Description:

S-130/190 is designed to provide entry-level wildland firefighter skills, and is often required for participation in prescribed burning activities (Firefighter Type II). Participants will receive federally-recognized National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certificates for S-130, S-190, and L-180.

This course satisfies the fire requirement for NATA's Certificate in Natural Areas Management (CNAM).

Course topics include:

Proper tactics to extinguish fire with or without the use of water
Why lookouts, communications, escape routes, and safety zones are important
The primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire
How to recognize potentially hazardous situations
Environmental factors of fuel, weather, and topography that affect the spread of wildland fire

This course is presented in a hybrid format (both the online and in-person field day is REQUIRED).

Online training:

Prior to the in-person field day, participants MUST complete 32 hours of online coursework across 3-weeks (on your own, with weekly assignment deadlines); reliable internet connection and computer is required.

All registrants must complete the online training provided by NATA (we do NOT accept participants for the Field Day only).

Agenda: S130/S190/L180 Checklist Summer 2026

In-person field day:

Participants must attend an in-person field day at a location they choose when registering (capacity is limited at each site); no transfers allowed.

Field locations and dates are above

What to bring to the field training:

A sack lunch (lunch will NOT be provided)
A refillable water bottle
At least 6 inch or higher leather boots, or solid hiking boots
A cotton bandana
Leather work gloves
Non-synthetic long pants and long sleeves (all cotton is preferable, blue jeans are ok; please DO NOT wear synthetic material)
Eye protection (sunglasses or safety glasses)
PPE (optional, but encouraged and required if you want to participate in live fire: fire helmet, Nomex, and goggles)

What to expect at the field training:

Heat - Florida's hot weather may be exasperated by live fire as well as your long-sleeved clothing and PPE. This is part of the job, so make sure to stay hydrated.
Weather-dependent fire activities - While the goal of the field sites is to practice live fire, this is not always possible on account of the weather (as you will learn in the course). Please understand that we cannot ensure there will be live fire at your site. Even without live fire, you will learn all the skills necessary to earn your certificate.
Time - Field trainings take the entire day (there's a lot to learn). Plan accordingly, and bring plenty of lunch and snacks.

Registration Information:

$215 per person (price subject to change)

You must pay with a CREDIT CARD online at the time of registration on the Eventbrite website. The confirmation email from Eventbrite is your receipt.
NO REFUNDS will be offered after registration closes.
NO CREDITS will be issued for those who do not complete the online and in-person course in the allotted time, regardless of reason.
Eventbrite processing fees are NONREFUNDABLE, meaning that if you need a refund, you will receive a partial refund, minus the Eventbrite processing fees. For more information, visit Eventbrite's policy.

*EARLY registration is available to any person who has graduated from one or more of the NATA core courses. You must email the NATA Training Coordinator to request early registration access. Early access expires the day before regular registration begins.