Best institutions to study Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
A program focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 174 Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0206, a specialization of Fire Protection (CIP 43.02), and leads most directly to the Firefighters occupation (BLS SOC 33-2011).
About Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation programs
A program focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes. Includes instruction in fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, wildland fire hydraulics and dynamics, water and chemical supply systems, wildland firefighting operations, airborne firefighting, firebreak engineering, communications systems, wildland arson, forensic procedures, wildland fire prevention, investigation techniques, case management and preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation program is designed for individuals interested in the prevention, control, and investigation of wildland fires. This program focuses on applying fire science and firefighting techniques to mitigate the impact of wildfires, making it ideal for those pursuing a career in fire protection and safety.
Students will gain knowledge in fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, and firefighting operations. Coursework includes training in fire prevention, investigation techniques, and the use of water and chemical supply systems, equipping graduates with essential skills for effective firefighting and investigation.
Credentials awarded
What Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree52 graduates / yr · 12 institutions30%
- Award of less than 12 weeks52 graduates / yr · 2 institutions30%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year50 graduates / yr · 4 institutions29%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 4 institutions12%
Graduates over time
Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 66 |
| 2019 | 83 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2021 | 90 |
| 2022 | 76 |
| 2023 | 150 |
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2025 | 174 |
Top 17 institutions for Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 48 | 31% | — | — |
| 2 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 62% | — | — |
| 3 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 4 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 25% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 51% | — | — |
| 6 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 10 | 26% | — | — |
| 7 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 39% | — | — |
| 8 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 65% | — | — |
| 9 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAssociate's | 6 | 21% | — | — |
| 10 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 4 | 35% | — | — |
| 11 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate's | 4 | 45% | — | $60,522 |
| 12 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College Ruidoso, NMPublicAssociate's | 4 | 29% | — | — |
| 13 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 21% | — | — |
| 14 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 15 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAssociate's | 2 | 41% | — | — |
| 16 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 17 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 45% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Fire Protection field (CIP 43.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 6 states
Where Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation graduates come from. Each state links to all Fire Protection programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7 | 77 | Victor Valley College31 / yr |
| Colorado | 4 | 60 | Pueblo Community College48 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 19 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point12 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 8 | Green River College8 / yr |
| New Mexico | 2 | 6 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College4 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 4 | Utah Valley University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-2011, Firefighters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as firefighters or forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 27,100 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is approximately $59,530, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0206
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Firefightersprimary SOC 33-2011 | $59,280 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~27,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists SOC 33-2022 | $56,870 | +14.6% Much faster than average | ~300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
Tools and technology used
Other Fire Protection specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Fire Protection (CIP 43.02).
- Fire Science/CIP 43.0203
Fire-fighting 10,359 graduates / yr275 institutions - Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/CIP 43.0201
Technician 3,558 graduates / yr140 institutions - Fire Services AdministrationCIP 43.02022,008 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Fire Systems TechnologyCIP 43.0204partial data59 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Fire ProtectionCIP 43.0299partial data54 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Fire/CIP 43.0205
Arson Investigation and Prevention partial data47 graduates / yr5 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers an Associate's degree, as well as various awards of less than 12 weeks and between 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
Students will develop critical thinking, active listening, and communication skills, along with knowledge in public safety and fire science.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 27,100 annual openings projected.
What kind of work will I be doing?+
Graduates will engage in firefighting, rescue operations, and fire investigation, responding to emergencies and assessing fire situations.
What is the CIP code for Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation?+
Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation is CIP 43.0206 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Fire Protection (CIP 43.02). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes. Includes instruction in fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, wildland fire hydraulics and dynamics, water and chemical supply systems, wildland firefighting operations, airborne firefighting, firebreak engineering, communications systems, wildland arson, forensic procedures, wildland fire prevention, investigation techniques, case management and preparation.
How many institutions offer Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 174 credentials in the year. That is 1.1% of all Fire Protection graduates.
How much do Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Firefighters occupation, which Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,280 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fire Protection field report median earnings of $60,522 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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