The Lake Wildfire Resilience Workforce Program

The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance and the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay have partnered to offer a series of trainings designed to support Lake County residents in pursuing career pathways in caring for the land we call home. 

These trainings are available at no cost for low- to moderate-income Lake County residents, aged 18 or older. Limited assistance for childcare and transportation may be available for those with a demonstrated need. Scroll for more information.


Apply for our April Basic 40

About our Trainings

We will be hosting two Basic 40 Wildland Firefighter/Firelighter Certification Trainings and one Fire and Forestry Career Training in 2026.

Basic 40: Wildland Firefighter/Firelighter Certification (April)

This five-day hands-on introductory course combines ecocultural fire content with NWCG Basic Wildland Firefighter curriculum (ICS-100, L-180, S-130, and S-190).
Includes work capacity test (WCT) and practice shelter deployment, and meets NWCG requirements for qualification as Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Online completion of IS-700 is required prior to the start of the course. For directions on how to complete the course, go to this help page.

Basic 40 April Dates: Mon - Fri, April 6 - April 10, 2026 Hours: 8am - 4pm daily Location: Upper Lake, CA

Applications Open: Fri, January 9

Applications Close: Fri, February 20

Apply here

Basic 40: Wildland Firefighter/Firelighter Certification (June)

This five-day hands-on introductory course combines ecocultural fire content with NWCG Basic Wildland Firefighter curriculum (ICS-100, L-180, S-130, and S-190).
Includes work capacity test (WCT) and practice shelter deployment, and meets NWCG requirements for qualification as Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Online completion of IS-700 is required prior to the start of the course. For directions on how to complete the course, go to this help page.

Basic 40 June Dates: Mon - Fri, June 8 - June 12, 2026 Hours: 8am - 4pm daily Location: Upper Lake, CA

Applications Open: Fri, March 13

Applications Close: Mon, April 27

Interest Form

Fire & Forestry Career Training

This four-week intensive offers participants a solid foundation to pursue a career in land stewardship, especially the realms of fire and forestry. You will gain wide-ranging skills including an understanding of the local ecology, plant identification, restoration, chainsaw skills, job readiness skills, and more. You will also have the opportunity to learn from Native land stewards and the practices that have kept our land in good health since time immemorial.

FFCT Dates: Mon - Thurs, July 20 - August 13, 2026 Hours: 8am - 4pm daily Location: Upper Lake, CA

Applications Open:  Fri, April 24

Applications Close: Fri, June 5

Interest form

On-the-Job Training

Following the Fire & Forestry Career Training, 10 graduates of the program will be selected to continue their training for 10 weeks of On-the-Job Training, working and learning in the field alongside TERA’s intertribal stewardship crew. During these 10 weeks, training participants will have the opportunity to continue to build their stewardship and job readiness skills in a real world setting, while contributing to TERA’s Ecocultural Stewardship projects in Lake County. Acceptance into the OJT portion of the Fire & Forestry Career training program is based on attendance, professionalism, and performance during the initial 4-week training program, as well as an application and interview.

OJT Dates: Monday - Thursday, Sept 7, 2026 - Nov 12, 2026

Location: Upper Lake, CA

Applications Open: Monday, July 20

Applications Close: Wednesday, August 12

Key Dates

Stay connected and informed! Save the dates and our Google Calendar for updates about registration, information sessions, mandatory orientation dates, and more.


Have questions? Join us for one of our upcoming Information Sessions:


Info Session #1: Jan 21, 2026 @2:30 PM - Woodland Community College, Rm 210, 15880 Dam Rd Ext, Clearlake, CA 95422
Info Session #2 Feb 6, 2026 @2:30 PM - Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Dr, Lakeport, CA 95453
Info Session #3: Feb 12, 2026 @5:30 PM - Woodland Community College, Rm 210, 15880 Dam Rd Ext, Clearlake, CA 95422


We’re on social media! Follow us @tribalecorestoration on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates about our upcoming Info Sessions.

Reasons to Apply

    • Explore fire careers and receive career guidance and counseling

    • Earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certificates required for entry-level firefighting jobs

    • Learn skills for firefighting and prescribed burns

    • Get paid a $100 daily stipend to participate, plus assistance with childcare/transportation 

    • Must be a resident of Lake County, CA, age 18 or older

    • Priority for low- and moderate-income households

    • Individuals of all backgrounds encouraged to apply

From our Fellows

“I have a renewed sense of purpose... Especially regarding my perception with fire and it's role with the land and nature. As I begin again to engage with fire, I've learned how to efficiently and effectively apply 'good fire' on the ground to heal an restore the land in a more beneficial and holistic manner. This experience has also cultivated a sense of togetherness through teamwork and shared learning with others. I would strongly recommend this program especially if you want to obtain a new perspective on fire management an it's role to the land”
 
-Walter Libby, Fire & Forestry Career Training Fellow and OJT Participant, 2025


“TERA is invested in providing meaningful connection to our local lands with the use of historic cultural burn practices. Our Indigenous peoples believe Culture is Wellness, amplifying connection to our lands. water and fire. Breaking the cycle of historic injustices I would like to become a Cultural Burn Boss providing wellness and connections by organizing youth and women's TREX in our area.”

-Nikcole Whipple, Round Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Basic 40 Fellow, 2025