A DNR Wildfire employee drags a hose into a field during an Inter-Agency Wildland Fire Training at Stan Hedwall park Thursday afternoon in Chehalis.
More than 400 firefighters are expected to train in basic and advanced wildland firefighting skills at the Western Washington Interagency Wildfire Training Academy in Rainier starting next week.
“This academy is part of a larger coordinated effort that will allow agencies responsible for responding to Washington’s wildfires the opportunity to train together before fighting fire together,” according to a news release from the state Department of Natural Resources.
The academy lasts from June 21 to 29 and is a joint operation of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with state, federal, local and tribal firefighting agencies.
The academy offers training for beginner, mid-level and senior-level firefighters. Courses focus on equipment, working in the “wildland-urban interface” and field training.
This is one of three Washington Interagency Wildfire Training Academies, which are expected to train more than 1,000 wildland firefighters across Washington Additional training academies are in Deer Park from June 17-25 and in May in Naches.
