The grant will enable Yuba College to develop new courses that address the growing need for skilled professionals in fire prevention, suppression and forest health. Photo by Island Hopper X via Pexels

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba College has been awarded a $300,000 Fire and Forestry Pathway Grant to strengthen the region’s workforce in wildland fire response and forest management.

The funding, awarded in June 2025 and running through June 2028, will support the expansion of the college’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Key areas of focus include increasing enrollment in basic wildland fire training, watershed courses and the Forest Management Resilience Certificate program.

The grant will enable Yuba College to develop new courses that address the growing need for skilled professionals in fire prevention, suppression and forest health. Topics will include fire behavior, suppression tactics, forest ecology, fuels management and climate resilience. The courses will complement existing curriculum and provide hands-on, industry-relevant training designed to prepare students for immediate employment in high-demand fields.

The initiative will also support outreach efforts aimed at attracting new students, especially those from underrepresented populations, while funding instructional equipment, materials and faculty development. In addition, the grant will help Yuba College create or expand regional partnerships with other colleges, employers,

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and related agencies. These collaborations will support broader efforts to build comprehensive workforce training pathways and increase the number of learners advancing into fire and forestry careers.