The Douglas Forest Protective Association will be conducting live fire training exercises over the next several weeks, as conditions allow.
Kyle Reed said the training will be conducted in fields near Gazley Road outside of Canyonville, northwest of Roseburg near Garden Valley Road, and northwest of Oakland near Metz Hill. Prior to ignition, dozer lines are completed around the training grounds and suppression equipment and personnel are on scene, according to Reed.
He said the fire training is beneficial for both new and returning firefighters. For new firefighters, this may be the first actual fire they see, which allows them the opportunity to apply and practice the suppression tactics they recently learned about at basic fire school. Reed said the training opportunities also allow returning firefighters the chance to brush up on their suppression skills, prior to the peak of fire season. Training conducted will include pump and roll tactics, simple and progressive hose lays, fire line construction, mopping up hot spots, and operating a variety of pumps and engines.
Reed said that as always, safety of the public and firefighters is their number one priority. Live fire trainings generally occur late in the morning or early in the afternoon. Each session lasts for several hours.
Contact the DFPA at 672-6507 for more information.