In 1969-70 a major research product was introduced to the Alberta Forest Service (AFS) and all other forest fire protection agencies throughout Canada by federal government fire researchers. The Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) Systems, the first major phase of a national fire danger rating system, was accepted and implemented nation wide by 1971. The FWI System was subjected to intense scrutiny and suspicion during its initial years of use in Alberta. However, the gradual and conclusive acceptance of the FWI System eventually resulted. Today, the system's components are utilized in initial attack preparedness planning and other fire management activities (e.g., prescribed fire, escaped fire analysis). This paper describes the technology transfer events over nearly two decades, as user confidence in a major research and technology transfer program developed. The review and interpretation of key factors contributing to successful technology transfer suggest that the process is continuous and complex, requiring coordination and active involvement of both researcher and user.