About Us
Pan American Wildland Fire is a grassroots initiative led by wildland firefighters and natural resources professionals with more than 100 years of combined field experience. We collaborate closely with local partners to provide hands-on training and practical workshops in Spanish and English across the Americas.
Our work is grounded in the understanding that approaches to fire must be locally relevant. Each program is shaped by the needs, culture, and landscape of the communities involved, with knowledge and experience shared in both directions.
Our Mission
Pan American Wildland Fire works alongside communities across the Americas to build practical skills and preparedness for living safely with wildfire.
Our Work
We work with volunteer fire brigades, government agencies, and communities to build practical skills and deepen understanding of wildfire management through hands-on training programs.
Courses are structured to develop future wildfire management leaders and instructors, helping strengthen capacity within their own communities and organizations.
Courses are tailored to local needs. Content may include:
Fire suppression tactics
Direct and indirect tactics, including prescribed fire
Equipment and tools
Chainsaw, pump, and hand tool use
Leadership development
Crew structure, communication, and operational coordination
Defensible space
Community training on the construction of defensible spaces
Emergency preparedness
Risk awareness, evacuation, coordination at the community level
Fire Management Support
We work with local communities, fire brigades, and agencies to strengthen the systems, planning, and land practices that support long-term wildfire readiness.
Support may include:
1
Land & hazard management
Fuels reduction strategies, hazard tree identification, and risk reduction measures, fuels reduction strategies, hazard tree identification, and risk reduction measures
2
Infrastructure
& access
Planning and construction of trails and access routes for safe operations
3
Organizational capacity
Crew structure, leadership systems, and training frameworks
4
Program development
Prescribed fire initiatives, monitoring approaches, and prevention planning