BLAZETRAIN

Photo By Master Sgt. Terrence Hayes | Even an item as normal as a rock can be a danger along the frontline of a wildfire. During a controlled burn Aug. 20 north of Winthrop, Wash., Pfc. Misael Yanez, Task Force Blaze Fire Team 6 member, grabs a hot rock as it rolls down a hill. The rock, which has been heated by the fire, has enough heat radiating from it to catch dead vegetation on fire, resulting in the spread of the fire across the control line. (Photo by Spc. Abel Trevino, 28th Public Affairs Detachment)  

08.17.2006

Story by Spc. Derron Dickinson 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Derron A. Dickinson
28th PAD

Fort Lewis Soldiers assigned to Task Force Blaze completed two days of intensive hands-on training Aug. 16 to help fight wildland forest fires.

The National Interagency Fire Center employed professional wildland firefighters from across the country to train Soldiers on the fundamentals of controlling forest fires.

The Soldiers learned the aspects of fire control, including fire behavior, safety, use of personal protective equipment, and proper use, transportation and maintenance of hand tools. They were also taught how to suppress fires by constructing firelines while working as part of a 20-person fire crew.

"Our typical training is 40 hours in the classroom and field," said Josh Shroyer, a military civilian advisor to the Army fire teams. "The reason we can get away with three days of training is that we're not spending time on organizational structure and discipline. The military already has that. All we have to do is teach them the basics of firefighting."

Safety is emphasized every step of the way, Shroyer said. The training began at 7 a.m. each day and lasted 12 hours. On the final day of training, the instructors expressed confidence in the Soldiers' ability to face the flames.

"They're ready to go to work," said Pat O'Brien, an MCAD and an assistant fire-manager officer with the Alaska Fire Service. "They're very receptive to training, and they're very good at translating the instructions into practical applications."

Soldiers expressed confidence in the training they received and a willingness to put it into action.

"It's a lot of manual labor, a lot of exercise walking up and down these hills,' said Pfc. Benjamin Davis, Company D, 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. "But it's pretty rewarding. We're doing something worthwhile."

The task force will be deployed for up to 30 days, fighting fires side by side with civilian wildland firefighters. On Aug. 17, the teams will begin battling the Tripod Complex fire, which has burned nearly 100,000 acres and is threatening numerous homes and other structures near Winthrop, Wash.

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• Date Taken: 08.17.2006
• Date Posted: 08.17.2006 11:11
• Story ID: 7465