Interagency wildfire training burn near Sisters Friday

Nearly 30 wildland firefighter trainees from 11 different agencies will participate in a live, wildfire training burn Friday near Sisters to learn the basics of firefighting and also as part of an effort to increase interagency cooperation between the agencies.

Deputy Chief Tim Craig of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District said, “Training opportunities like this are invaluable for our personnel. We work very closely with our partnering agencies on real incidents, so it only makes sense for us to train together as well. ”

This group of firefighters is all part of a joint firefighter training academy from USFS Sisters Ranger District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), Sisters-Camp Sherman, Black Butte, Cloverdale, Crooked River Ranch, Redmond, Sunriver, Alfalfa and Bend Fire Departments.

The training will take place about three miles west of Sisters, near the intersection of the 15 and 1520 roads. The total acreage to be burned is just one acre, but will provide entry-level trainees the opportunity to learn the basics of wildland firefighting including: pulling progressive hose lines, digging fire line, extinguishing live fire and mop up operations.

For the more experienced firefighters who will be onsite, the burn provides the opportunity to train to a higher level such as Crew Boss or Task Force Leader. Fire will be on the ground at 9 a.m. and the entire operation should conclude around 3 p.m. All fire will be put dead out prior to the trainees leaving the training ground.

Fuels specialists overseeing the burn on the Deschutes National Forest will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning), and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, please contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District at 541-549-0771.