09/01/2026
New Merit Badge: Wildland Fire Management
Merit Badge Spotlight: Wildland Fire Management
Wildfire is one of the most complex challenges facing our forests, communities, and public lands. Fire can cause tremendous damage—but it can also play an important role in healthy ecosystems.
The Wildland Fire Management Merit Badge gives Scouts an opportunity to understand both sides of fire management while exploring the science, safety, skills, and careers involved.
And there’s something especially helpful for Scouts and counselors: the Digital Resource Guide for this merit badge is available now!
Scouts working on Wildland Fire Management will:
Explore the history of wildfire prevention, suppression, and management in the United States.
Learn how prescribed fire can reduce fuel, restore ecosystems, improve wildlife habitat, and support forest regeneration.
Discover how defensible space and other mitigation efforts can help protect homes and communities from wildfire.
Study how weather, topography, and fuel influence fire behavior.
Learn about wildland firefighter safety, protective equipment, the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 Watch Out Situations, and LCES.
Explore wildfire suppression tactics, tools, equipment, aircraft, and the Incident Command System.
Put that knowledge into action through a project such as developing a fire-readiness plan, conducting a Firewise assessment, meeting with forestry or fire professionals, or creating a fire-prevention message.
Explore careers in wildland fire management and the education and training needed to enter the field.
For troop leaders and merit badge counselors, this badge offers some great opportunities to connect Scouts with fire departments, forestry agencies, meteorologists, land managers, fire prevention specialists, and other professionals who work with wildland fire.
The new Digital Resource Guide also brings together videos, websites, documents, and other resources to help Scouts work through the requirements step by step.
Explore the Wildland Fire Management Merit Badge and start with the Digital Resource Guide:
https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/wildland-fire-management/