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Guidance

Vegetation fire training with the Forestry Commission

Published 20 October 2026

Applies to England

Vegetation fire training supports the delivery of the UK Forestry Standard and its practice guidance.

Choose from Lantra-accredited eLearning modules and practical workshops.

You can also learn about other Forestry Commission courses, such as incident management system training.

Vegetation fire foundation (eLearning)

Who it’s for

For landowners, managers, operators and researchers (aged 16 or over) working in:

  • forestry
  • conservation
  • game management
  • agriculture, rural and urban land management

Includes those who are looking to develop knowledge on the basics of wildfire incidents and prescribed fire operations. This course is a prerequisite to all other vegetation fire training.

What you can get

The entry-level eLearning module covers basic information such as:

  • wildfire and prescribed fires
  • safe systems of working
  • how to support fire and rescue services when the worst happens
  • wildfire response strategies
  • wildfire prevention

Includes an assessment and a certificate of completion for successful delegates.

Course locations, fees and how to apply

Training is delivered online. The course can also be delivered to groups in a classroom setting on request.

Email us for more information and how to apply: fc.training@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Course fees: £132
Duration: half a day

Attendee feedback

“Good pace of info. Very clear instructor.”

Further study options

Follow this up with the wildfire liaison officer (eLearning) module as well as the following practical workshops:

Wildfire liaison officer (eLearning)

Who it’s for

Anyone (aged 16 or over) working in the forestry and land management sector who need to liaise with fire and rescue services during wildfire incidents, such as:

  • forestry
  • conservation
  • game management
  • agriculture, rural and urban land management

What you can get

Building upon the vegetation fire foundation, this module will cover:

  • incident liaison with the fire and rescue services during wildfire incidents
  • wildfire incident management
  • implementing recovery considerations
  • managing final actions at the end of an incident and conducting ‘after action reviews’ and debriefs

Includes an assessment and a certificate of completion for successful delegates.

Course locations and how to apply

Training is delivered online. This course can also be delivered to groups in a classroom setting on request.

Email us for more information and how to apply: fc.training@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Course fees: £132

Attendee feedback

“Very expertly delivered. An excellent course. All the relevant information. Talking about what to expect from real world experience – Andy did this well.”

Further study options

The eLearning modules can be followed up with the following practical workshops on wildfires.

Vegetation fire operator workshop

Who it’s for

For those working in forestry, conservation, game management, agriculture, rural and urban land management, such as:

  • forest crafts persons
  • underkeepers and headkeepers
  • rangers
  • workers
  • volunteers
  • wardens
  • contractors
  • researchers

Includes those who are looking to develop an operational level knowledge and skills with operational application for wildfire incidents and prescribed fire operations.

What you can get

The knowledge and skills of the operator function in vegetation fires for wildfire incidents and prescribed fire operations.

The module is a prerequisite for the prescribed fire manager training. 

Includes an assessment and a certificate of completion for successful delegates.

Course locations and how to apply

Training consists of approximately half day, self-led eLearning and one day in-person practical workshop.

Email us for more information and how to apply: fc.training@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Course fees: £380

Attendee feedback

“Getting hands on experience and different scenarios. Being able to ask anything and the trainers can use their real experience to explain things.”

Further study options

Prescribed fire manager workshops.

Wildfire management plan workshop

Who it’s for

Anyone working in forestry, conservation, game management, agriculture, rural and urban land management, such as:

  • landowners
  • managers
  • foresters
  • agents
  • forestry and ecological planners
  • headkeepers
  • senior site managers
  • site managers
  • researchers

Includes those who are looking to develop a management level of knowledge and skills for looking to implement prescribed fire operations

What you can get

Building upon the vegetation fire foundation to provide a management level of developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing wildfire management plans.

Includes an assessment and a certificate of completion for successful delegates.

Course locations and how to apply

Training consists of approximately half day self-led eLearning and one day in-person practical workshop.

The eLearning module can also be delivered to groups in a classroom setting on request.

Email us for more information and how to apply: fc.training@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Course fees: £380

Attendee feedback

“Clear, interesting, and good chance to chat and hear people’s experience. V. well delivered. Really great course.”

Further study options

Prescribed fire manager workshop.

Prescribed fire manager workshop

Who it’s for

For anyone working in forestry, conservation, game management, agriculture, rural and urban land management, such as:

  • landowners
  • managers
  • foresters
  • work supervisors
  • headkeepers
  • site managers
  • researchers

Includes those who are looking to develop a management level of knowledge and skills for designing and reporting prescribed fire operations

What you can get

Building upon the vegetation fire foundation and operator modules to provide a management level of designing, planning and reporting prescribed fire operations from documents such as site and wildfire management plans. 

Includes an assessment and a certificate of completion for successful delegates.

Course locations and how to apply

Training consists of approximately half day self-led eLearning and one day in-person practical workshop.

Email us for more information and how to apply: fc.training@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Course fees: £380

Attendee feedback

“Excellent instructors. Clear and accessible information”.

Further study options

We also run incident management systems training.