Santa Barbara Prescribed Fire Training Exchange

The third annual Santa Barbara Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (SBTREX) will be held from November 9-18, 2024. This 10-day program brings together professional fire practitioners, tribal partners, ranchers, land managers, and community members to apply beneficial fire practices in stunning wildland areas. SBTREX is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the USDA Forest Service, and agencies within the Department of the Interior.

Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX), introduced in 2013 by TNC in collaboration with the US Forest Service, provide hands-on workforce training and experiential learning in the use of prescribed fire. Participants learn about equipment, safety protocols, orienteering, and emergency response necessary for conducting prescribed burns. The goal of SBTREX is to build local capacity for community-based burning to support ecological health in Santa Barbara County, while addressing cultural, conservation, training, and wildfire mitigation objectives.

This year's training includes potential burn sites at the University of California (UC) Sedgwick Reserve and TNC’s Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Under the guidance of experienced burn bosses and fire experts, participants will “learn and burn” together in a collaborative setting. SBTREX organizers are working closely with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District to ensure compliance with air quality standards and safe dispersal of smoke.

A unique aspect of SBTREX is its emphasis on integrating research with practice. This year’s event will feature several research studies, including partnerships with NASA’s FireSense Program, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and the University of California Santa Barbara, focused on fire ecology and management. The event also places a strong emphasis on supporting Indigenous fire practices. To facilitate participation, the Indigenous Burner Stipend Program is once again offering financial assistance for Indigenous participants, covering costs such as pre-event coursework and related expenses.

This year, approximately 42 participants are expected from local, national, and international organizations. Confirmed partners include the University of California, the UC Santa Barbara Natural Reserve System, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Fuels Management Training Program, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), TNC’s Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, and the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District. Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Business and Workforce Development Grants.