arizona news – Coconino National Forest is currently accept applicant In preparation for the Wildland Fire women’s training camp next April.

Female Wildland Fire Camp participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of wildland firefighting in a supportive and educational environment.

Upon completing the program, participants will receive the entry-level qualifications necessary to begin a career in the wildfire field, either as a firefighter or in a supporting role.

This program consists of a combination of online and field training. In online training modules, participants will learn about topics such as wildland fire behavior, firefighting strategies and safety, and the application process for wildland firefighting jobs.

Participants will also have the opportunity to spend part of their training in the field, exploring hands-on wildland firefighting in accordance with guidelines set by the National Wildfire Coordination Group.

“We did a lot of digging and they taught us how to deploy shelters and little things on the track like laying hoses… It was really helpful to have that knowledge,” said a program graduate. Jessica Westrup said. “I was really happy to be able to talk to other girls who were going through the same issues.”

Westrup, a full-time forestry student at Northern Arizona University, is a 2024 graduate of the Coconino National Forest Wildfire Women’s Training Camp. Westrup has been working on an engine based on Coconino this summer and plans to do the same next summer. good.

Westrup recommends the program to other women looking to start a career in wildland fire.

“We recognize that there are barriers for women seeking to pursue a career in wildland firefighting, and we have worked to break down those barriers,” said Forest Training Officer Bill Kush. . “Hosting this annual training program is one way we can accomplish that.”

Training camp participants will be required to complete online work prior to a field day in April 2025 at the Coconino National Forest.

Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2025, or until the class reaches capacity.

Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 37, but exceptions will be considered. Applicants must also be in good physical and mental health.

If you are interested in applying, please Wildland Learning Portal Create an account here[学習の検索]of[コース]You need to search for R3 FAM Coconino WIWF in the tab and apply it.

For more information about program registration, please contact Kuche at william.kuche@usda.gov.