July 10, 2020 3:40 a.m.

The Douglas Forest Protective Association will be conducting live fire training exercises over the next several weeks, as conditions allow.

Kyle Reed of DFPA said the live fire training will take place in fields near Gazley Road outside of Canyonville, Speedway Road near Green, northwest of Roseburg near Garden Valley Road, and northwest of Oakland near Metz Hill. Reed said prior to ignition, dozer lines are completed around the training grounds and suppression equipment and personnel are on scene.

The DFPA release said live 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 a hands-on opportunity to apply and practice the suppression tactics they recently learned in basic fire school. The release said the training opportunities also give returning firefighters the chance to brush up on their suppression skills, prior to the start of fire season.

Reed said training 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.

Live fire trainings generally occur in the late morning or early afternoon with each session lasting for several hours.