Kansas Forest Service
February
KFS Aviation Course, February 4th, 2026
Mission Township Fire Department
This course provides an introduction to the effective and safe use of aviation resources in wildland fire operations. Topics include basic aviation communications, operational procedures, safety protocols, Aviation risk management, and general knowledge of aircraft capabilities and limitations. Designed to build confidence and competence, this training prepares firefighters to work effectively with aviation assets during wildfire incidents. Contact DFMO Bryce Haverkamp for additional information.
Wildfire Awareness Week, February 9th-14th, 2026
The 2026 theme, “Working Together for Wildfire Awareness – Making Kansas Stronger,” highlights how wildfire preparedness and prevention start at home and extend to neighbors, local fire departments, and state and federal partners.
Buds, Bark, and Branches Woodland Walk, February 13th, 2026
Suzanne Ecke McColl Nature Reserve, 2055 E 1600 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Join EJ Jamison (Kansas Forest Service) and Helen Alexander (retired KU faculty) for a late winter walk through the forests of the Fitch Natural History Reservation. We will learn how to identify trees before their leaves emerge by focusing on bark, branching patterns, buds, and other distinctive characteristics that remain visible year-round. We will also discuss the history and ecology of northeast Kansas forests, located in the prairie-forest ecotone, where the eastern deciduous forest meets the tallgrass prairie. This particular forest, shaped by the unique interplay of these ecosystems, offers a chance to observe landscape changes and reflect on the impacts of human activity, as it is part of a long-term study on ecological succession without human management. Join us to sharpen your naturalist skills and gain a deeper appreciation for our native trees!
-
- Where: Meet at the Suzanne Ecke McColl Nature Reserve, 2055 E 1600 Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
- What to bring: Closed-toed shoes, long pants treated with tick repellent (picaridin or permethrin), a water bottle, and your curiosity!
- What to expect: A slow-paced 2-mile walk along a gravel driveway and uneven woodland trail with some elevation changes.
- Register: Open to the public. Email wendyholman@ku.edu to register.
Smokey Bear Visits Plainville, February 18th, 2026
Plainville Memorial Library, 200 SW 1st ST, Plainville, KS 67663
Join Smokey Bear for Story Time at the Plainville Memorial Library! Contact the library for specific times or other details.
Tree and Shrub Trimming and Pruning Workshop, February 18th, 2026
Stockton Public Library, 124 N Cedar St, Stockton, KS 67669
Join Northwest District Forester Chelsea Hanson at the Stockton Public Library to learn more about pruning! Learn about proper pruning techniques to keep trees and shrubs health, safe, and looking their best. The program will begin at 6 pm. Contact the library for other details.
Smokey Bear Visits Stockton, February 20th, 2026
Stockton Public Library, 124 N Cedar St, Stockton, KS 67669
Join Smokey Bear for Story Time at the Stockton Public Library! Contact the library for specific times or other details.
Wildland Fire Basics, February 21st, 2026
Scandia, KS
This statewide course, established in 2020 in conjunction with multiple state partner fire agencies, provides standardized wildland fire training for firefighters across Kansas. The curriculum emphasizes firefighter safety, wildland fire behavior, tactical operations, aviation resources, and other critical components of wildland fire incident management. It is designed to ensure consistency and effectiveness in wildland fire response throughout the state. Contact DFMO Bryce Haverkamp for additional information.
RT-130, February 21st, 2026
Stockton, KS
RT-130, or the Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR), is a mandatory annual safety training for wildland fire personnel designed to keep them updated on safety protocols, risk management, and entrapment avoidance. It focuses on maintaining fireline safety, situational awareness, and reducing accidents for firefighters
Registration required.
Spring Eastern Kansas Wildland Fire School, February 26-March 1, 2026
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College, in partnership with the Kansas Forest Service and the Johnson County Fire & Emergency Services Chiefs' Association, proudly presents the Second Annual Spring Eastern Kansas Wildland Fire School!
This program is designed for those passionate about their career or establishing a career in wildland firefighting, a profession offering diverse job experiences and invaluable skills. The Wildland Fire School hosts academy sessions to provide quality operational wildland firefighting courses required for qualifications based on and in accordance with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Standards.
Register for the Wildland Fire School
Future Events
Wildland Fire Basics, March 5th, 2026
Wamego, KS
This statewide course, established in 2020 in conjunction with multiple state partner fire agencies, provides standardized wildland fire training for firefighters across Kansas. The curriculum emphasizes firefighter safety, wildland fire behavior, tactical operations, aviation resources, and other critical components of wildland fire incident management. It is designed to ensure consistency and effectiveness in wildland fire response throughout the state. Contact DFMO Bryce Haverkamp for additional information.
Pack Test & Shelter Deployement, March 14th, 2026
Seneca, KS
A "pack test"is a physical fitness assessment for wildland firefighters, primarily to qualify for arduous duties by completing a 3-mile walk over level ground carrying a 45-pound pack within 45 minutes. Register today.
Living with Fire, Prescribed Burning, Wildfire Safety, & Land Stewardship, March 14th, 2026
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Fire has shaped our landscapes for centuries—with both beneficial and destructive outcomes. This program explores fire as a management tool, covering prescribed burning, wildfire risk reduction, and practical steps homeowners can take to live more safely with fire. Participants will gain a better understanding of when fire helps, when it threatens, and how thoughtful planning can protect people, property, and ecosystems.
With presentations by:
- Andrew Rutter - Director, Baker University Wetlands
- Shawn Hartman - Fire Protection Specialist, Kansas Forest Service
- Jessica Layton - President, Kaw Valley Prescribed Burn Association
Pack Test & Shelter Deployement, March 18th, 2026
Seneca, KS
A "pack test"is a physical fitness assessment for wildland firefighters, primarily to qualify for arduous duties by completing a 3-mile walk over level ground carrying a 45-pound pack within 45 minutes. Register today.
An Ode to Eastern Redcedar, April 25th-May 23rd, 2026
Lumberyard Art Center, Baldwin City, KS
Join the KU Field Station and partners, including the KU Department of Visual Art, the Kansas Forest Service, and the Lumberyard Arts Center, to celebrate the Rice Woodland! This juried exhibition will feature works crafted from eastern redcedar by local artists on display from April 25 – May 23, 2026. Learn more about the exhibit.
Pack Test & Shelter Deployement, April 4th, 2026
Seneca, KS
A "pack test"is a physical fitness assessment for wildland firefighters, primarily to qualify for arduous duties by completing a 3-mile walk over level ground carrying a 45-pound pack within 45 minutes. Register today.
